NBI arrests 4 Chinese, 2 Filipinos for alleged kidnapping racket

The NBI headquarters in Manila. (File photo / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested four Chinese nationals and two Filipinos cohorts in Las Piñas City for alleged kidnapping activity.

NBI officer-in-charge Eric Distor on Friday identified the four arrested suspects as Jiang Zhi Chao, Han Yong, Shi Qi, and Zhao Jian Wei, and the two Filipinos as Christopher Belarmino and Darnel Volante.

Distor said that on Monday, the suspects’ victim filed a complaint at the NBI for kidnapping and serious illegal detention with ransom.

He said the complainant positively identified the address of the house in Brgy. Talon Dos where he was detained as well as the men who kidnapped him.

NBI agents then conducted a raid and arrested the suspects at the house mentioned by the complainant.

During the arrest, the agents found another Chinese national who claimed he was also kidnapped and was being detained there since October 20.

The second victim said he was working in an online gambling firm. However, he was not being paid his proper wages so he wanted to resign and go back to China.

But when he relayed to his boss his intention to resign, a certain Pang Zi and Liang Zi allegedly asked him to first provide P240,000 before they give him his passport and he can be allowed to go back to China.

Distor said that when he was not able to produce the money, Liang Zi allegedly tied him inside a car while another suspect Xiao Yao started hitting him.

The men then dragged the victim to the house where they punched and kicked him until he could no longer get up, according to the NBI official.

The victim was also told he will stay in the house until the ransom is paid.

According to the victim, he saw on October 26 the first complainant in handcuffs being brought to the room where he was staying but was released on the same day after paying ransom.

It wasn’t immediately clear if the three men–Liang, Piang and Xiao–who allegedly kidnapped the second victim were also arrested.

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