PNP rescues Chinese national kidnapped over gambling debts

Philippine National Police operatives rescued a Chinese national, 32-year-old Jiang Longgen, who was allegedly kidnapped by fellow Chinese countrymen over gambling debts in Parañaque City.

The victim was found detained in a hotel room after reportedly being unable to pay his gambling debts, having lost P1.7 million at a casino and then borrowing P1 million from the suspects.

After losing the loaned amount, the victim paid P1 million of his debt but was still held by the suspects who demanded an additional P1 million.

The operation was initiated following a report from the operations manager of Okada Hotel to the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

The two suspects, identified as 35-year-old Jiang Zhenqiang and Zhu Peijian, were arrested at Seaside Drive in Barangay Tambo.

Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, director of the PNP-AKG, stated that the suspects were arrested at around 1:45 a.m.

Estomo also mentioned that the hotel's security personnel were informed of the kidnapping and relayed the information to the AKG, leading to the successful operation.

According to AKG spokesperson Maj. Ronaldo Lumactod, this case is similar to past modus operandi where Chinese loan sharks offer loans to losing casino gamblers, and if victims lose anew, they are abducted and their relatives are forced to pay a huge sum.

The syndicate would even film victims while being tortured to force relatives to pay, and Estomo had previously met with casino managers to discuss coordination amid rising casino-related kidnappings.