Chinese POGO worker kidnapped, released after ransom paid

A 33-year-old Chinese national connected to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) was kidnapped while fishing along the Angat River in Bustos, Bulacan on Sunday morning.

Four armed men claiming to be 'persons in authority' took the victim via bypass road in Barangay Bonga Menor.

The victim was released around 12:05 a.m. on Wednesday somewhere in Manila and is currently undergoing medical examination and debriefing by the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

Authorities have paid a ransom of PHP5 million through cryptocurrency but are still investigating the case, including tracing the ransom transaction outside Philippine jurisdiction.

The victim was previously abducted in Clark, Pampanga in 2020 and paid a ransom of PHP1 million.

Initial profiling by the AKG revealed that the victim is indebted to Yuzhi Wang worth around PHP15 million, and authorities are investigating possible links between the victim's companions and POGO operations.