Nelson Morales

4 Chinese linked to POGO, money changing nabbed for abducting compatriot in Parañaque resort

Generic thumbnail for jail. Jail thumbnail

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- Four Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly abducting a fellow Chinese national in Parañaque City, Philippine National Police (PNP) officials said Monday.PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) apprehended the suspects on August 2 at a resort and casino, following a 911 call from the victim&#x27;s friend.Initial investigation showed that the 30-year-old male victim sought help from the money changing and lending group to send P150,000 to China for his mother&#x27;s medical expenses. After giving an initial P100,000, the suspects allegedly convinced the victim to accompany them to a casino under the pretense of completing the transaction.&quot;Ang gagawin nila, inisyal muna… &#x27;Ah, papalitan ko muna ito kasi masyadong malaki ang pera mo eh so sumama ka o kaya pumunta ka doon sa amin para mas mataas &#x27;yong value na ipapalit namin.&#x27; So, pagdating nila doon along the way, sa kanila ire-restrain,&quot; said Anti-Kidnapping Group Director Brig. Gen. Glicerio Cansilao.(What they usually do is take the initial amount first... &#x27;Oh, we&#x27;ll exchange this somewhere else because your money is too large, so come with us, or go to our place where the exchange rate is higher.&#x27; Along the way, they restrain the victim.)Upon meeting the suspects on August 1, the victim was immediately restrained with handcuffs and threatened with a firearm. He was physically harmed and forced to pay 50,000 USDT in cryptocurrency in exchange for his release.During his captivity, the victim managed to borrow a mobile phone and discreetly contacted a friend, who then reported the incident to the Parañaque police via 911.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/1/pagcor-approves-p50m-to-deport-illegal-pogo-workers-0938">READ: Pagcor approves P50M to deport illegal POGO workers</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/9/paocc-around-4-000-foreigners-deported-due-to-pogos-1404">READ: Around 4,000 foreigners deported due to POGOs -- PAOCC</a></div>Police initially apprehended five Chinese nationals during the raid. However, further investigation revealed that a 19-year-old female companion—originally suspected as an accomplice—had no involvement in the kidnapping. Authorities later confirmed that she, too, was a victim of the group.Torre said the four suspects were previously linked to offshore gaming operations and were known for money lending and currency exchange activities.&quot;Well, ito &#x27;yong naging offshoot ng mga foreigners na nawalan ng trabaho. So, a matter of time bago natin sila maubos at maibalik sa kanilang mga pinanggalingan kapag hindi sila makahanap ng legal na hanapbuhay dito sa bansa natin,&quot; said Torre. (This is the result of foreigners losing their jobs. It&#x27;s only a matter of time before we apprehend and deport them, especially if they can&#x27;t find legal work in our country.)Authorities said the group&#x27;s modus operandi involved money changing, where they target individuals exchanging large amounts of money.&quot;Ang modus operandi kasi na &#x27;yan ay hindi naman bago &#x27;yan eh. Previously, talagang kahit na nandito pa &#x27;yong mga POGO, na namamayagpag sila, &#x27;yan din ang isa sa mga rason kung bakit nagpapatayan ang mga &#x27;yan, holdapan,&quot; said Torre.(That modus isn&#x27;t new. Even back when POGOs were thriving here, this was already one of the reasons behind robberies and killings among their own.)&quot;Matagal na kasi established itong apat eh, kilala na ito na mga money changer, may mga connections para sa pagpapalit ng pera at nakakapagdala sila sa China ng pera. So, ito &#x27;yong mga underground nila na collections at mga paraan gamit ang USDT, gamit ang mga e-wallets nila,&quot; he added.(These four have been operating for a while. They&#x27;re known money changers with connections for transferring funds to China. These are their underground operations—collecting money through USDT and e-wallets.)The suspects are temporarily detained at the AKG office in Camp Crame and will undergo inquest proceedings.Torre said police are coordinating with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Bureau of Immigration, embassies, and other agencies to monitor and regulate the activities of foreign nationals in the country.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/29/nbi-confirms-identity-of-new-chinese-national-posing-as-filipino-1409">READ: NBI confirms identity of &#x27;Alice Guo-like&#x27; Chinese national posing as Filipino</a></div>

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly abducting a fellow Chinese national in Parañaque City, Philippine National Police (PNP) officials said Monday.

Four Chinese nationals have been arrested for allegedly abducting a fellow Chinese national in Parañaque City, Philippine National Police (PNP) officials said Monday.