2 Chinese ‘loan sharks’ held for kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines — Two Chinese men suspected to be members of a loan shark syndicate were arrested yesterday for allegedly kidnapping their compatriot at a casino in Parañaque.

Jiang Zheng Qiang and Zhu Peijian, both 35 years old, were caught by police officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) at the casino located along Seaside Drive in Barangay Tambo at around 1:45 a.m.

Jiang Longgen, 32, was rescued during the operation.

Maj. Ronaldo Lumactod, AKG spokesman, said the suspects kidnapped Jiang after he failed to pay P1 million they lent the victim.

According to Lumactod, the victim lost P1.7 million worth of casino chips at the establishment.

Jiang paid P1 million in a wire transfer but the suspects refused to release him and demanded an additional P1 million, police said.

Security personnel at the casino who noticed the commotion immediately coordinated with the AKG for assistance.

Policemen arrested the suspects and rescued Jiang, who were all inside a Toyota Innova.

The suspects vehemently denied they kidnapped Jiang and told reporters they only wanted the victim to pay back the money they loaned him.

“I did not kidnap anybody. I told him if you want to borrow money, I will tell you how much do you want and you should have given me the receipt,” Zheng told reporters.

The suspects are facing charges of kidnapping with serious illegal detention.