6 nabbed for kidnap of Chinese over debts

LAGUNA, Philippines — Six Chinese believed to be members of a loan shark syndicate were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a compatriot who failed to pay his debts in Calamba City on Saturday night.

Police rescued Edison Yen, 30, of Shanghai following an entrapment in Barangay Pansol at around 11 p.m.

Col. Eleazar Matta, Laguna police director, identified the suspects as Si Cuan, 42; Zhao Da Hai, 40; Hong Zhong Ah, 38; Xin Wang, 30; Sun Qing Jil, 26, and Yang Ben, 24, all of Fujian province.

Reports said the suspects snatched Yen in Makati on Feb. 27 and held him at the Ridge Point Resort in Barangay Pansol for almost four days.

The entrapment was launched after a village resident reported to the police that he heard cries for help coming from the resort.

Matta said the group offers loans to Chinese tourists who want to play in casinos. Payment is collected after the borrower wins.

If the player loses, the group reportedly forces him to pay with corresponding interest, or tells him to ask money from his relatives.

“If the borrower fails to produce the money, the group will kidnap and detain him,” Matta said.

Yen told police that his wife sent P50,000 from China on Feb. 26 as payment for his debt to the group.

He said the suspects demanded another P300,000 on Feb. 28. When his wife failed to send the amount, the group kidnapped him.

Charges of kidnapping are being prepared against the suspects, who are detained at the Calamba police detention center. – With Emmanuel Tupas