5 Chinese nationals arrested for kidnapping of Taiwanese in Makati

MANILA, Philippines — Five Chinese nationals who allegedly kidnapped and detained a Taiwanese national in a Makati City dormitory have been arrested by police.

Agents of the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) arrested Teng Sheng, 32; Li Jing Zhang, 29; Huang Yu Iong, 22; Zhao Shi Guang, 28; and Jiang Wei, 26; in a rescue operation in Camino St., Guadalupe, Makati City on Thursday

Police rescued the victim, identified as 36 year-old Shih Su Yuan, who is working for a Philippine offshore gaming operation (Pogo).

The PNP-AKG said rescuers found the victim handcuffed. He was believed to have been tortured and was brought to a hospital for treatment, police said.

Members of the PNP-AKG presented  the suspects in a press briefing Friday.

During the briefing, Lt. Col. Dexter Versola said that the motive behind the kidnapping was part of a modus operandi in which the victim was invited by the suspects to work for the Pogo company.

“Kikidnapin siya, tapos ko-communicate sa mga kamag-anak sa abroad. Pipicturan din nila na sinasaktan to trigger na ibigay yung demand nila,” Versola said.

(He’ll be held kidnapped, then the suspects will communicate with the victims family members abroad. They will take pictures of the suspect being tortured to prompt them to give in to their demand.)

Versola added that the suspects were demanding 100,000 renminbi in exchange for the victim’s freedom.

Charges for violating Article 267 of the Revised Penal Code are being prepared for filing against the suspects, police said.