Chinese National Re-Kidnapped in Bulacan Linked to POGO Operations

October 22, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

A Chinese national kidnapped while fishing in Bulacan province has been identified as being connected to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs, according to a statement from the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday. The 33-year-old victim’s case highlights ongoing concerns regarding crime associated with the gaming industry in the Philippines.

Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, the PNP spokesperson, provided details during a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City. She indicated that the investigation is focused on verifying whether the victim’s companions were involved in POGO operations. “He was identified as connected to POGOs. We are trying to verify if his companions are associated or at least involved in POGO operations,” Fajardo was quoted as saying in a PNA report.

The case has been handed over to the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), which specializes in dealing with abductions. According to Fajardo, the victim’s family paid a ransom of PHP 5 million via cryptocurrency in an attempt to secure his release. However, she noted that this payment presented challenges for the authorities. “The payment was done outside of Philippine jurisdiction. We are now coordinating with our foreign counterparts to trace where this ransom, paid in two tranches, ended up,” Fajardo explained.

Despite the ransom payment, the victim was not released. This raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of such payments in securing the freedom of abductees, especially in cases linked to organized crime.

The victim was fishing along the Angat River in Bustos town around 1 a.m. Sunday when four men approached him, claiming to be “persons in authority.” The suspects forcibly took him and fled the scene using a by-pass road in Barangay Bonga Menor.

Approximately four hours later, the victim’s live-in partner, 28 years old, reported the abduction to local police. The urgency of her report underscored the distressing situation. According to a message from the victim’s cousin, the abductors initially demanded a ransom of US$300,000.

Initial investigations have revealed that the victim had financial issues, being indebted to a certain Yuzhi Wang for P15 million. This debt could be a potential motive behind the kidnapping, suggesting that financial disputes linked to POGO operations may be at play.

The victim has a history of abduction; he was previously abducted in Clark, Pampanga, in 2020 and paid a ransom of P1 million ($17,000).

The ongoing situation sheds light on the broader implications of POGO operations in the Philippines. These gaming hubs have been associated with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, extortion, and money laundering.