DOJ drops cases vs 30 suspected kidnappers

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) has junked the kidnapping and serious illegal detention complaints filed against 30 of the 44 foreigners believed to be involved in the abduction of Singaporean national Wu Yan in Paranaque City last July 17.

The foreign nationals absolved by the DOJ were Li Jia Long, Pan Wei Jun, Chen Chao Yi, Chen Guo Xiong, Wang Min, Meng Hao, Pao Xi, Huan Dong Chuan, Yan Xiao Tao, Lin Bing Wen, Kang Cai Chun, Xie Qing Yun, Lin Zhi Tian, Li Lian Den, Qing Chi, Zhu Chong Guang, Lin Feng Bin, Liu Peng, Zhang Fu Xing, Li Yun, Zeng Wei, Wang Fei, Zhang Cheng Jian, Lin Chao, Zou Guan Bao, Rong Yi Wang, Li Hong Bing, Yuan Dan, Huan Tian Peng, and Lin Yung Long.

The DOJ through a resolution penned by Assistant State Prosecutor Phillip Dela Cruz said the above-mentioned respondents were not identified by Wu as her abductors.

“Not even an iota of evidence was presented during the inquest proceedings to show that they conspired with the alleged kidnappers of complainant Wu Yan. Not even a single act can be imputed to them,” the DOJ said.

“Since criminal liability is personal then the absence of proof as to their participation to the alleged kidnapping indubitably will result to the dismissal of the complaint against said respondents,” it added.

The 14 respondents meanwhile will undergo a full-blown preliminary investigation, according to the DOJ resolution.

They were foreign nationals Ng Yu Meng, Goh Kok Meong, Chen Jing Wang, Chen Cheng Feng, Deng Kong Zhi, Ou Min, Chen Jia Yang, Cai Si Yang, Cheng Zai Zheng, Zheng Wei Xiong, Wu Shi Zhu, Huang Lifang, Li Xiang Hu and Ou Fang.

Wu was rescued in a joint anti-kidnapping operation conducted by the Bureau of Immigration and the Philippine National Police AntiKidnapping Group at the BayView International Towers in Paranaque City on July 18.

She was reportedly abducted at the Solaire Resorts and Casino in the evening of July 17 and was eventually brought to the said building where she was detained and beaten.

The 14 respondents, alleged to be members of the kidnapping group that victimizes high rollers in casinos in Metro Manila filed their respective counter-affidavits last Monday.

Wu's camp has been given until July 31 to file her reply to the affidavits filed by respondents. (SunStar Philippines)