MANILA, Philippines — Ten Chinese nationals who allegedly kidnapped seven Filipinos were arrested in Parañaque on Thursday.
The suspects, seven men and three women, were apprehended by operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG)’s National Capital Region field unit during a raid on a house in Multinational Village, Barangay Moonwalk at around 4:50 a.m.
Col. Jean Fajardo, the chief information officer of the Philippine National Police, said the rescue operation was based on information from one of the victims, a house helper, who alleged that they were held against their will by the suspects for three days.
Acting on the information, CIDG operatives and security guards of the village went into the house and arrested the suspects.
Seven Filipinos were rescued in the operation.
Fajardo said the victims were being forced by the foreigners to engage in activities such as love scams and cryptocurrency fraud.
Police seized two firearms and assorted bullets, 17 cell phones, five desktop computers, three laptop computers, passports and identification cards.
The suspects are facing criminal charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention, qualified trafficking in persons, illegal gambling, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and violation of Republic Act 8484 or the Access Devices Regulation Act.
The suspects and victims were brought to Camp Crame for documentation.