NBI agents nab 4 Chinese, Filipino in Pasay for kidnapping

The NBI presented on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020,  four Chinese nationals and a Filipino who were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Chinese man in a hotel in Pasay City. (Consuelo Marquez / INQUIRER.net)

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Special Action Unit (SAU) has arrested four Chinese men and a Filipino for allegedly kidnapping a Chinese national at a hotel in Pasay City.

In a press conference on Wednesday, NBI Director Dante Gierran identified the suspects as Dong Dhaeng, Lu Lihui, Zhang Xiaolin, Ye Jintao, and Ann Michelle Melendez.

On Feb. 13, the live-in partner of the Chinese victim, whose names were not disclosed for their security, notified the NBI that her partner was kidnapped on Feb. 11 at the hotel.

The victim was allowed by the suspects to call her partner regarding the payment of ransom. The victim instructed his live-in partner and brother to deliver the cash at the hotel in Pasay.

On Feb. 13, the victim’s brother delivered the money to Ye which then resulted in the release of the victim near Villamor Airbase at 10 a.m.

On Feb. 14, NBI-SAU agents arrested three kidnappers in the same hotel in Pasay. Arrested were Dong, Lu and Zhang. Melendez, who was later discovered as the girlfriend of Dong, was apprehended on Feb. 15 at the same hotel.

Suspects are now under custody of NBI Detention Center while charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention were filed against them before the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City.

/atm