CA affirms conviction of 2 Vietnamese nationals for kidnap-for-ransom

The Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction of two Vietnamese nationals, Nguyen Chi Trung, 30, and Phan Minh Viet, 32, for the kidnap-for-ransom of a compatriot.

The appellate court dismissed their appeal for lack of merit, upholding the decision of the Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 115.

The victim, Nguyen Thi Ben Van, also known as "Miss Ann," was detained for 18 days in November 2022 by the accused on orders of their Chinese bosses.

She was intercepted on October 29, 2022, after leaving a restaurant in Parañaque City to meet someone.

The kidnappers demanded PHP50 million from the victim's boyfriend, sending a video of her being beaten.

The ransom was reduced and transferred in two tranches to a bank account provided by the suspects.

The victim was eventually abandoned at Blue Mountain, Sumulong Highway, Antipolo City, where she was rescued.