Singaporean rescued, 45 suspected members of kidnap gang arrested

A female Singaporean was rescued while 45 foreign nationals suspected to be members of a kidnap-for-ransom group preying on casino high rollers were arrested by authorities during an operation in Pasay City.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said that all 45 foreigners were expected to be brought to DOJ State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon for inquest proceedings following the rescue of Singaporean Wu Yan on Tuesday.

He said the group is “believed to be responsible for the series of kidnapping incidents perpetrated against foreign nationals who are high roller casino players in recent months.”

Citing reports from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Balmes said Wu Yan was rescued from Room 301 of the Bayview International Towers were she was kept against her will since being forcibly taken from Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City.

The victim was rescued during a joint anti-kidnapping operation conducted by operatives of the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (BI-FSU) and the Philippine National Police-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG)

During the operation, operatives arrested 26 foreign nationals who failed to present any immigration documents and refused to divulge their identities.

Among those arrested, the victim positively identified three persons as those who forcibly took her from the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City.

The three were identified as Ng Yu Meng and Goh Kok Keong from Malaysia, and Zhang Fuxing from China who was pointed as the alleged leader of the group.

While detained, Balmes said the victim was beaten and threatened by her kidnappers who demanded US$180,000 for her release.

Balmes said the AKG conducted another follow-up operation which resulted in the arrest of 19 more foreign nationals who are believed to be members of the same group.

In the meantime, Balmes noted the arrested 45 foreign nationals have been brought and detained at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.