6 Chinese, 1 Taiwanese charged for POGO workers’ kidnap

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG) on Monday filed criminal charges against six Chinese and one Taiwanese for allegedly kidnapping three employees of a Philippine offshore gaming operation (POGO) firm in Pasay City on Sunday.

Charges of kidnapping with ransom and serious illegal detention were filed against Chinese nationals Chen Xin, 28; Liu Chen, 37; Yang Shuwen, 26; Wei Chong, 22; Zhang Lee, 30; and Qi Long, 22, and Taiwanese Yu John Ruei, 26, before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Manila.

According to AKG spokesman Lt. Col. Elmer Cereno, the seven are accused of kidnapping the victims at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3’s departure area at around 8 p.m. on Sunday.

The victims, employees of Wan Hao Co. based in Las Piñas City, were at the airport to supposedly meet with the suspects for the processing of their travel documents.

However, a commotion ensued when the suspects forced them into a van. This got the attention of Aviation Security Group police officers who were patrolling the area.

The suspects and victims were then turned over to the AKG for investigation.

It turned out the victims arrived in the country last July 28 to work for Wan Hao Co. They were promised monthly salaries ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 renminbi with two days off.

Lt. Col Joel Saliba, who heads the AKG’s Luzon Field Office, said the victims were surprised that their monthly salary was only at 6,000 renminbi and they were required to work 12 to 14 hours a day, six days a week.

This prompted them to report their condition to the Chinese embassy where some of the suspects met them with the promise of helping them process their documents for their trip back to China.

Police are investigating if the POGO firm is involved in the incident.