4 Chinese nabbed for kidnap try on gaming employee

MANILA, Philippines — Four Chinese believed to be members of a loan shark ring were apprehended over the weekend for allegedly attempting to kidnap a Chinese who works in an online gaming company over a gambling debt at a casino in Parañaque City.

Charges of grave threat were filed yesterday against Zhao Liang, 31; Liu Tao, 34; Li Lin, 28, and Jin Ning, 29, before the city prosecutor’s office, according to the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG).

Police said the suspects were nabbed in a casino in Barangay Tambo on Sunday after they tried to kidnap Li Xin, a worker of an online gaming company in Makati.

AKG director Col. Jonnel Estomo said Li and his friend went to the casino on Saturday and played baccarat.

When the victim lost, Estomo said the suspects approached Li and gave him P200,000 on the condition that he would pay them with an interest of 20 percent.

Police said the suspects accosted Li after he lost a total of P140,000. Sensing that he would be taken outside the casino, the victim gave the suspects P60,000 and created a commotion. 

Security officers of the casino approached the group and brought them to their office before informing the police about the incident.

“The victim said he was threatened by the suspects,” Estomo said.

AKG spokesman Lt. Col. Elmer Cereno said they did not file kidnapping charges against the suspects as they were not able to get hold of the victim.

“The situation would have been different if they were able to take the victim outside the casino,” he said.

Last week, members of the Makati police foiled an attempt to kidnap a Chinese employee of an online gaming company in the city.

Policemen were patrolling Burgos area when they saw five men, including a Chinese, dragging Ma Zhi Rui, 36, in a car.

 Zhaochun Chen, 21, was collared along with Mark Anthony Pareño, 39; John Muega, 24; Reyan Villanueva, 35, and Joe Marie Lavilla, 31. 

Aside from a kidnapping case, police said the suspects were charged for bribing police officers.