CALAMBA CITY, Laguna -- Three Chinese nationals involved in the kidnapping of a Malaysian national were arrested by Calamba City police operatives and the special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team 10 p.m. on Saturday.
In an interview with PNA on Monday, City Police chief Supt. Sancho Celedio identified the suspects as Su Sheng Fu, 27; Yu Guang Dong, 33; and Chen Wen, 22, all residents of Makati City.
Celedio said they received a call from Allan Pedraja, chairperson of Makiling Barangay (village) about a suspicious Toyota Innova with conduction sticker number YW 4598 roaming around the place.
Police operatives responded and chanced upon the suspects’ vehicle along the national highway at the village fronting the Yazaki Torres manufacturing plant.
The responding law enforcers flagged down the vehicle but one of the suspects, Yu, who was the driver quickly alighted from the vehicle.
The police team also saw the Malaysian victim when he raised his handcuffed hands, prompting operatives to arrest the three suspects.
Law enforcers later identified the victim whose legs were strained due to the incident as Jackie Ong, 36, finance department head of DF Communications, Inc in Paseo de Roxas Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City.
Initial investigation showed that Ong was kidnapped in front of Forbes Tower Condominium on Valero St, Barangay Bel-Air, Makati City last September 29.
Police also recovered a caliber .45 pistol from the suspects, a plate number ZKX 699, assorted IDs, assorted Chinese yuan bills and passports.
Celedio said they already turned over to the brother the victim who was in a state of shock from the ordeal with handcuffed arms and legs and sustained wounds in the head due to constant bashing by the suspects.
According to Celedio, the victim’s Filipino employer whose identity was withheld disclosed that Ong owes the suspects a huge amount of money due to his losses in the casino.
Police are looking into the angle that the suspects are part of a loan shark syndicate victimizing losing casino players.
Investigators are seeking assistance from an interpreter during the probe as the suspects can't speak English.
Celedio added that they already notified the Chinese Embassy regarding the incident.
Suspects are now subjected to inquest proceedings on Monday morning and remain at the city police custody. (Robert A. Maico/PNA)
