4 Chinese nabbed for ‘threatening’ fellow Chinese over gambling debt

Four Chinese nationals pose for a photo at the PNP-AKG office at Camp Crame, Quezon City after their arrest on Sunday for allegedly threatening a fellow Chinese who owed them cash. Photo from PNP-AKG

MANILA, Philippines — Operatives from the Philippine National Police – Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) have arrested four Chinese nationals for allegedly threatening a fellow Chinese who owed them P200,000.

In a press statement on Tuesday, Col. Jonnel Estomo, director of the PNP-AKG, said the suspects approached the victim identified as Li Xin, who works at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) in Makati City, in a casino in Parañaque City at about 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Police said the group composed of suspects Zhao Liang, Liu Tao, Li Lin, and Jin Ning offered P200,000 to the victim who had lost his money in a baccarat, a gambling card game.

After the victim lost P140,000 of the borrowed cash in the game at about 4 a.m. on Sunday, the suspects allegedly told him to go with them outside the premises of the casino. The victim, who then panicked, returned the remaining P60,000 to the suspects and created commotion, calling the attention of security officers inside the facility.

Police said the victim then told security officers that he was being threatened to be brought outside the casino by the suspects.

At about 7:35 a.m. Sunday, the PNP-AKG received a call from a security officer of the casino and reported the incident. Police then responded to the report and arrested the suspects.

The suspects were brought to the PNP-AKG office in Camp Crame, Quezon City as they face a criminal case for allegedly threatening their compatriot. /je