Five suspected members of a Chinese kidnap-for-ransom group who allegedly abducted three countrymen were arrested by the Las Piñas City police in an entrapment operation in Makati City yesterday.
Police identified the suspects as Li Wei, 29; Ruan Hu Bin 29; Chen Sing, 29; Weng Peng Chao, 29; and Li Hui Sie.
Investigation showed the suspects abducted three countrymen – Zhou Yang, Sengxiao Ling, and Ou Shen – last May 10 at around 11:45 p.m. on Verdant Ave., Pamplona 3, Las Pinas.
Police said a Toyota van with license plates AIA-2234 with 10 persons on board stopped on their way and ganged up on the trio and forced to them to get inside the van.
However, Ou Shen managed to escape and reported the incident to his boss who accompanied him to the Las Pinas police station to relay the incident.
Upon receipt of the report, Las Piñas police chief, Police Col. Simnar Gran, immediately prepared an entrapment operation.
The suspects demanded P200,000 for the victims’ release but they only produced P150,000. The suspects asked the ransom to be dropped off in a mall on Ayala Ave. in Makati.
The arresting team coordinated with the Makati police for the arrest of the suspects.
The suspects were arrested after receiving the ransom money beside the Toyota van and the two victims were rescued at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.
Building guards tried to intervene but the operatives introduced themselves as police officers.
The suspects and victims were taken to the Las Pinas police for further questioning and proper documentation and filing of appropriate charges.
Further investigation revealed that five other suspected kidnappers were housed at Rivergreen Center, Pedro Gil, Sta Ana, Manila. A follow-up operation conducted resulted in the arrest of Lao Xie who was believed to have alerted the other suspects to elude arrest.
The arresting team also held the drivers of the getaway van identified as Marvin Villas, 38, and Lolito Angeles, 40, to determine their participation in the case. (Dhel Nazario)