An alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry boss was abducted by men posing as police officers in Parañaque City.
A Chinese national, suspected to be a high-ranking figure in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry, was abducted by men posing as police officers in a brazen operation in Parañaque City. The incident occurred at the victim’s residence, where the perpetrators gained entry by impersonating law enforcement personnel.
A broadcast report aired on GMA News’ 24 Oras showed the suspects, dressed in police uniforms, arriving at the house and presented themselves as conducting an official operation.
“Ito po ayan na po si [suspect] sinakay nila sa Hiace at tuloy tuloy na po yan. Pumasok po sila around 3:20 [p.m.] at lumabas around 3:50 [p.m.] siguro. Around 30 minutes sila sa loob ng village (The victim was boarded into the Hiace. The armed men went into the village at 3:20 p.m. and came out around 3:50 p.m. They were there for about 30 minutes),” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Eric Angustia, assistant chief of police for administration of the Parañaque City Police Station.
Angustia said they are currently linking this activity to incidents of Chinese people in the Philippines kidnapping other Chinese nationals who have outstanding debts, subsequently seeking ransom from the victims’ relatives back in China.
The victim’s own security guards were also taken into custody by authorities.
“Lumalabas po sa imbestigasyon na kasabwat sila sa insidente kaya inaaresto natin sila yung dalawa (The investigation revealed that they were accomplices in the incident so we arrested them),” said Angustia.
The guards of the victim have been implicated in the crime and are now facing charges of kidnapping. Meanwhile, authorities are continuing their pursuit of seven additional suspects who remain at large.
The victim's location remains unknown, as of writing. Meanwhile, police found that one of the suspects used to be a security guard of the subdivision.
Authorities are still exploring several angles and the possible motives of the kidnapping, including potential links to illegal gambling operations, business rivalries, or extortion attempts.
Despite the ongoing hunt for the kidnapping's mastermind, no ransom demands have been made.
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