8 nabbed for 2 ex-POGO workers’ kidnap

MANILA, Philippines — Eight men, including five Chinese, were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly kidnapping two former employees of a Philippine offshore gaming operator or POGO in Taguig City.

Zou Jian Cong, 26; Yang Yu Yang, 41; Bruce Gao Zhan, 26; Chen Xing Ding, 49; Wang Jian Bo, 31; Jose Marlito, 35; Pepe Mengullo and Welson Borlado were arrested at the Invech Treasure building along Legrand Avenue in Bonifacio Global City.

Police said the two victims, Chinese aged 21 and 32, were former employees of Di Wang Online Gambling. They were kidnapped near a hotel in Pasay City and taken to the company headquarters on Sept. 27.

The two victims told police they left the firm on Sept. 16 when they realized they were working for an online gambling operator, which is illegal in China.

They were kidnapped as they were about to meet the fixers who were supposed to process their travel documents.

The suspects supposedly demanded 80,000 renminbi for the victims’ release. When their relatives complied but the victims were not freed, a friend went to the police Anti-Kidnapping Group.

The suspects face charges of kidnapping for ransom with serious illegal detention and obstruction of justice.