MANILA: A Chinese national recently kidnapped in Bulacan province, with alleged connections to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs, has been freed in Manila, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced. The victim, who had been abducted while fishing along the Angat River, was released early Wednesday morning.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo confirmed in a press conference held at Camp Crame, Quezon City, that the victim underwent a medical examination and is currently being debriefed by the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). The release occurred at approximately 12:05 a.m., and the victim was able to visit his wife, who gave birth the same morning.
Fajardo indicated that police investigators are reviewing closed circuit television (CCTV) footage from the area where the victim was released to gather potential evidence. “We already have persons of interest but we have to defer to the AKG’s backtracking and investigation. They are also interviewing t
he victims, and if you will remember, the family initially paid a ransom worth more or less PHP5 million,” she stated.
The investigation is considering the victim’s alleged POGO links as a potential motive for the kidnapping. The victim was reportedly in debt to an individual named Yuzhi Wang, with an amount totaling approximately PHP15 million. This incident follows a previous abduction in Clark, Pampanga, in 2020, during which a ransom of PHP1 million was paid.