MANILA, Philippines — Three Chinese and two Filipinos were arrested in an entrapment operation for allegedly kidnapping three Chinese in Manila on Thursday.
Police rescued their victims – Yang Han, Xu Wen Yang and Cui Shao Kun – during an entrapment operation at the corner of Mabini and Pedro Gil streets in Malate at around 10 p.m., according to a Manila Police District (MPD) report.
The operation was staged after Jeff Wang notified police that his friends were taken from their house in Makati and detained at a condominium unit in Parañaque, where they were repeatedly beaten up and deprived of food for days.
The kidnappers demanded P3 million for the victims’ release, Wang added.
The MPD identified the suspects as Wang Jie, 28; Ouyang Fuqing, 32; and Chai Xin Yuan, 30, all residents of the same condominium where the victims were held. Police also arrested Kenneth Mesa Querubin, 39, and Noel Dioneda Fame.
Lawmen reportedly recovered a pistol loaded with nine bullets from the suspects, who face charges of kidnap for ransom and violation of the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.