The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) filed last Tuesday in the Manila regional trial court kidnapping for ransom charges against eight Chinese for abducting a Chinese-French doctor.
Five of the suspects were arrested in Pasay City, ending the victim’s more than one-week ordeal. The case was filed through the Department of Justice. Charged were Zian Uen Iu, Willy Ang, Zian Zi Pien, Young Chan Tien, Michael Zhu, Feng We Li, Tian Xiang Dong and a certain Zhang. The latter three are still at large.
Dr. Ngo Quang Tuong, 77, said he was enticed to do business in the Philippines by Tian back in Beijing, China, as early as 1996. Tian told the victim that he had cash deposits in the Philippines amounting to $19.8 million which he proved by showing him certificates of time deposits from a Philippine bank. The victim was promised a 200-percent return on his investment if he becomes a partner.
On Nov. 11, the victim came to the country to facilitate his investments but he was met by Chinese men purportedly the associates of Tian. The doctor was constantly followed by the suspects and was not allowed to go to the bank where Tian was supposed to be keeping his money.
Ngo said his abductors took his 13,500 French francs and was forced to make several withdrawals from his Visa card. On Nov. 17, the suspects told the victim to ask his family to send $15,000 through a local bank.
While at the Holiday Inn Hotel in Manila, the victim, with two of the suspects, was supposed to open a bank account when he was rescued by the PAOCTF. It appears that Ngo was able to send a message to the hotel’s security department about his kidnapping which was immediately relayed to the PAOCTF.
After a brief surveillance PAOCTF operatives pounced on the suspects. Another operation was made along Donada street in Pasay City where the three other kidnappers were arrested. Ngo was kept by the suspects in a house in Pasay City.
The suspects are now detained in Camp Crame and no bail was recommended for their temporary liberty. – Jose Aravilla