30 Chinese in casino players’ kidnap freed

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has cleared 30 Chinese accused of kidnapping high-roller foreign casino players in the country.

In a nine-page resolution released yesterday, investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Phillip dela Cruz dismissed the kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaint filed by the Bureau of Immigration and Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group for lack of probable cause.   

The 30 Chinese were among the 44 foreigners arrested last July 18 during the joint BI and AKG operation that rescued Singaporean victim Wu Yan, who was allegedly kidnapped by the respondents from the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City.

“A careful perusal of the records revealed that respondents had not been identified by the complainant as part of the group that kidnapped her,“ read the resolution approved by Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr.

Because of the resolution, all 30 Chinese were released from detention at the PNP headquarters at Camp Crame but will be deported back to China.

Fourteen others – led by alleged gang leader Zhang Fuxing – remain in detention while facing preliminary investigation before the DOJ.