Angeles city: Three Chinese nationals and a Filipino cohort were arrested for allegedly kidnapping a Chinese citizen, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. announced on Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the suspects were identified by their aliases 'XL,' 'LHW,' and 'Chen Chen' for the Chinese nationals, and 'Radx' for the Filipino woman. They were apprehended in Angeles City after the victim, a 37-year-old Chinese man, managed to escape last Tuesday. The victim, who owns a local supermarket chain, was reportedly abducted in front of an establishment along Friendship Highway in Angeles City last Sunday.
Anti-Kidnapping Group chief Brig. Gen. Edwin Balles stated that the motive behind the kidnapping appeared to be financial, as the suspects demanded a ransom of USD1 million, equivalent to roughly PHP60 million, for the victim's release. The victim's escape led to the successful capture of the four suspects, who are now facing inquest proceedings for kidnapping for ransom and serious illegal detention.
In addition to the arrests, authorities are in pursuit of two more suspects who remain at large: another man believed to be Chinese and an additional Filipino accomplice. Balles mentioned that police investigators are working closely with the Bureau of Immigration and the Chinese Embassy to obtain records of the foreigners allegedly involved in the kidnapping case.
