Chinese tagged in kidnapping of casino players deny raps in justice department

July 24, 2017

Chinese nationals arrested last week on Monday denied involvement in kidnapping for ransom operations on casino players in the country. The fourteen of the 44 arrested Chinese nationals appeared at the preliminary investigation at the justice department where they filed counter-affidavits seeking dismissal of the complaint filed by the Bureau of Immigration and Philippine National Police's Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) for lack of probable cause. The respondents, led by Chinese national Zhang Fuxing, believed to the mastermind,  denied allegations they kidnapped Singaporean victim Wu Yan from one of the casinos in Pasay City. They denied bringing Wu to the Bayview International Towers where she was allegedly beaten up and threatened by kidnappers who demanded $180,000 for her release. During the hearing, the lawyer of Yan asked time to file a reply. Investigating Assistant State Prosecutor Phillip Deal Cruz gave them until July 31, to answer the defense submitted by respondents before the case is submitted for resolution. The other 30 arrested foreigners underwent inquest proceedings a day after they were arrested last July 18 where they denied the same charges. The Bureau of Immigration has started deportation proceedings against the 44 arrested foreigners for being undesirable aliens. DMS