PNP busts KFR group preying on POGO workers

BY AARON RECUENCO

Police busted a foreigner-led kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) group, which was tagged in the kidnap-slay of a Chinese whose cadaver was dumped in Talisay town of Batangas, during a raid in their lair in San Pedro, Laguna over the weekend.

Nabbed were Qun Deng, reportedly the leader of the group; Kang Jia Wei; Gui Chen; Shu Liu Tao; Deng Zi Yi, Feng Quing Xin; Huang Xiang Bin; and their Filipino cohort identified as Nicanor Pantis.

Maj. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, director of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), said the operation was based on the complaint regarding the kidnapping of Lyu Long and Liu Xue Xue who were kidnapped on December 23.

The group reportedly demanded one million Renmibi for the release of the two but only 403,000 RMB was paid, which prompted the group to continue detaining the two victims who are both employees of Smartwin Technology.

The cadaver of Lyu was later found in a deep ravine in Talisay town on January 3. The identity of Lyu, whose body was then decomposing, was established based on the clothes he was wearing when the suspects sent his video as a proof of life.

It was then that the complainant sought the assistance of the CIDG and the Anti-Kidnapping Group since the suspects are still demanding for the remaining ransom in exchange for the release of the remaining captive.

The suspects were then convinced that the ransom would be paid in Philippine peso and the meeting place was in Biñan, Laguna on Saturday. Qun Deng was arrested during the ransom payoff, but his Filipino driver was able to escape.

It was Qun who revealed the area where they were keeping the captive. A raid was conducted and resulted in the arrest of the other suspects. The kidnap victim was also rescued.

Seized were three handguns, bullets and a car.

Coronel said Qun and Kang served as the leaders. Their modus is to scout for targets, usually Chinese POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) workers and lure them either by offering women or by pretending to offer POGO workers to be interviewed.

“The group will kidnap the victims and demand money from their relatives or friends in exchange of the victims’ liberty. Once the ransom is received, the group will kill the victims and dump the bodies somewhere,” said Coronel.

He said the group was also tagged in the kidnapping of a certain Guang Lin on December 18, 2020.

Guang Lin’s cousin paid the ransom partially, however, the victim was still shot and dumped in a creek in Barangay Burol Main, Dasmarinas City, Cavite.

The victim survived the gunshot wound in his nape that exited through the left side of his face, and from abrasions he sustained in his body.

Guang Lin positively identified Pintes as the one who shot him.

Violations for Kidnapping for Ransom with Murder and Frustrated Murder, Abduction with Rape, Serious Illegal Detention, and RA 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Law) were filed against the suspects. (Aaron Recuenco)