Immigration bureau foils kidnap suspect’s try to escape to Singapore

Bureau of Immigration nabs 25-year-old Hu Zhen who attempted to leave Philippines on Feb. 19, 2024 via Ninoy Aquino International Airport en route to Singapore. (Photo from BI)

MANILA, Philippines — A Chinese charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention was prevented by authorities from leaving the country.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), 25-year-old Hu Zhen attempted to leave the country for Singapore on Feb. 19 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Hu has a pending hold departure order (HDO) issued by a court in Angeles City.

The cases are in connection with 2020 kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges filed against him and three other Chinese.

“He is required to his court case before he can have his name lifted from the bureau’s hold departure list, as he claimed that said case was already dismissed,” BI border control and intelligence deputy Joseph Cueto said in a statement.

Hu and his three companions allegedly kidnapped a fellow Chinese.

Then, they reportedly demanded a 300,000-yuan ransom, or around P2.3 million, in exchange for the release of the detained person.

A month later, police were able to rescue the victim.

The alleged activities by Hu’s group led to the filing of cases against them in Angeles city.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said Hu must show up in court to respond to the complaints against him.

“Because of his existing HDO, we cannot allow him to leave until he faces the case filed against him,” Tansingco said in a statement.