8 Chinese nabbed for kidnap, gunrunning

MANILA, Philippines — Eight Chinese allegedly involved in kidnapping, gunrunning and illegal recruitment were apprehended in Pasay on Wednesday.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group arrested the suspects during an entrapment operation in a townhouse at the corner of F. Sanchez and Villanueva streets.

Azurin did not disclose the identities of the Chinese nationals who are being held on charges of illegal possession of firearms, violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Law as well as obstruction of arrest and prosecution of criminal offenders.

He said three of the Chinese prevented the police raiding team by blocking their car in the driveway of the townhouse and then going to an apartment unit where they were arrested together with the other suspects.

Seized from the suspects were a 5.56mm 4 carbine, a 9mm pistol, a .45-caliber handgun, ammunition, a taser and handcuffs.

6 held for defrauding casino of P140 million

In Parañaque, five foreigners and a Filipino were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly defrauding a casino of over P140 million.

Police said Thailand nationals Mongkol Charernwuttiwong, Virat Phocharoen and Virat Phocharoen were nabbed along with Hyun Seo Park, Keith Yue Lung Tam and their Filipino cohort Reynan Miguel.

Miguel is a pit manager of the casino in Barangay Tambo, according to police.

Hyun and Tam are Australian citizens born in Seoul and Hong Kong, respectively.

Police said they recovered from the suspects P140,004,085 in cash, playing cards and casino chips.

Complaints for syndicated estafa and qualified theft are being readied against the suspects. – Ralph Edwin Villanueva