Chinese couple unwilling to pursue ‘abduction’ probe

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese woman allegedly abducted in Makati City and her husband are no longer willing to pursue the investigation of the case, though the police have already identified the suspects.

Makati City police chief Col. Rogelio Simon said this Monday, quoting Chen Tangbin, the husband of Zhuo Mei, who was seen in a viral video as being dragged into a Kia Carnival van in Legazpi Village on the night of Dec. 9.

“For the sake of family safety, [we] gave up the investigation of this case, and no longer hold anyone legally responsible,” Chen said in a text message shown by Simon to the media.

Despite this, Simon said the Makati City Police Station will continue to investigate the incident.

He added the police would seek advice from its legal team on the next steps to take and on what case could be filed against the suspects earlier identified as Song Xifei, Guo Bin, Zhang Xipeng and Guo Wanshun, all workers in a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) firm.

Makati City police investigations chief Maj. Gideon Ines earlier said the Chinese woman, also a Pogo worker,  returned to their residence last Sunday.

Simon said, however, that the police would yet have to speak with the victim who her husband said needed rest in the meantime.

He also said that said Chen, initially a person of interest but later cleared of any participation in the incident, was currently “uncooperative” in the investigation.

/atm