MANILA, Philippines – Chinese loan sharks and kidnappers in the country have allegedly been hiring former cops and soldiers to abduct Chinese gamblers who fail to cough up their debts, a police official said Tuesday.
Lt. Col. Elmer Cereno, spokesperson of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG), said some formerly high-ranking officers have been hired as henchmen by these Chinese loan sharks to kidnap their compatriots.
Cereno said these rogue military and police personnel act as guides for illegal activities, specifically those related to casino debt-kidnappings. They also provide safe houses where hostages are to be kept.
“Itong mga Chinese ay bawal sila magkaroon o magdala ng baril sa ating lugar kaya sila nag-i-import ng ganyan ‘yung alam nila ‘yong pasikot-sikot kung saan pinakatagong hideout, kung saan tinatakbuhan ng mga sasakyan kaya naghi-hire sila ng ganito,” he said.
Since 2017, more than 50 cases of casino gambling-related kidnappings involving Chinese nationals have been reported. Victims are usually held captive until their relatives agree to pay ransom through wire transfer in exchange for the hostage’s release.
Cereno said operatives of the PNP-AKG are undergoing training, including marksmanship to hone their skills in launching anti-kidnapping operations.
“Nakiki-deal tayo sa mga kidnapper. Ito ‘yong mga talagang kaya nilang pumatay para maisakatuparan nila ‘yong gusto nilang hangarin na maghasik ng pangamba sa mga tao,” he said. RRD (with details from Correspondent April Cenedoza)
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