9 use dating app in kidnapping

MANILA, Philippines — Nine men who allegedly kidnapped a Chinese man using a dating app were arrested in Las Piñas City on Friday night.

Police officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) arrested Anfernee Joshua Casil, Jomari Pamaranglas, Vincent Karl Suero, Ewald Tacalan, Disney Camacho, Kevin Mark Castillo, Joenel Roselio, Jaypee Roselio and Ostin Callejo during a raid on their hideout at Ecotrend Villas in Barangay Zapote at around 11:30 p.m.

AKG director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said the suspects released Chen Zhi Jhang in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite on Thursday after he paid P500,000 ransom.

Cheng himself detailed his ordeal to the police with the help Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order.

The suspects kidnapped Cheng sometime last week by luring the victim through the Tantan online dating app, fooling him into thinking he would meet a woman on a blind date, Estomo said.

Cheng told police the suspects brought him to an undisclosed location, where they beat him up and took P12,000 cash from him.

Medical records show the victim suffered four broken ribs.

“The victim was forced to ask his relatives in China to put an additional P500,000 in his account,”  Estomo said in a report.

The suspects are being held on charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.