4 Chinese held for kidnap of POGO workers

MANILA, Philippines — Four Chinese who allegedly kidnapped their compatriots who are working for a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Quezon City were apprehended in Bacoor, Cavite on Friday, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) reported yesterday.

Jerry Hong, 32; Huang Yang Hui, 31; Xiang Long Huang, 29, and Yang Yuan, 28, were arrested by police under the supervision of CIDG director Maj. Gen. Eliseo Cruz during a raid on their hideout at a subdivision in Barangay Mambog IV.

The suspects were the subject of a pursuit operation after they reportedly kidnapped seven Chinese – four women and three men – in Barangay Mariana, Quezon City last week.

Col. Randy Glenn Silvio, who heads the CIDG National Capital Region field unit, said the victims were kidnapped by six men armed with short and long firearms at their house at the corner of Gilmore and 11th streets.

Silvio said the victims’ driver reported the incident to police, who in turn launched a dragnet operation.

Police said they have been receiving information about the rampant kidnappings of Chinese citizens, mostly POGO employees, in the past few months.

“Based on information that we received, the relatives of the victims will be contacted by the kidnappers, who are also Chinese citizens and will demand ransom, to be paid through virtual currency,” Silvio said.

Another option of the crime ring is to sell their victims to other POGO operators in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, according to probers.

Recovered from the suspects were one .45-caliber handgun as well as the victims’ identification cards and cell phones.

The CIDG is conducting a follow-up operation to locate the victims.

The suspects are being held on charges of kidnapping, serious illegal detention, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm.