Chinese saved from compatriots to whom he owed P5M

The Parañaque City police have rescued a Chinese national and arrested his three compatriots who allegedly detained and assaulted him over a P5-million gambling debt.

Dong Yun Hao, 28, was found by responding officers inside a unit at Okada Resort and Casino on Aseana Avenue on Monday night.

His “newfound friends” Chen Jing Nun, Zhang Zhen Qing and Chuan Fang Li, were prevented from leaving the building with the help of the in-house security personnel.

Senior Insp. Jerry Sunga, investigation section chief, said the suspects, after locking Dong up on April 5, planned to demand more than P5 million from the victim’s family in Beijing in exchange for his release.

“They even took a video of them punching the victim so his family would know that he would be in danger when they don’t give in to their demands,” Sunga said.

While in captivity, however, Dong, a trader vacationing in the country, was able to send a message to his girlfriend, who then contacted the authorities.

The three arrested men were revealed to be loan sharks working for a bigger casino financier operating in Parañaque, Sunga added.

They face charges for serious illegal detention, a nonbailable offense. —Dexter Cabalza