Businessman rescued from Chinese casino loan sharks

A businessman was rescued from two Chinese suspects who allegedly kidnapped him due to unpaid casino loans.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Jun Veneracion on Thursday, the victim was a Chinese businessman who borrowed P180,000 from casino loan sharks at a casino in Pasay City.

“Nung sinisingil na siya, nagdedemand na ng P1.8 million … Malaki ang interes kapag nangutang ka sa casino,” said Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Kidnapping Group Director Police Brigadier General Cosme Abrenica.

(When they were collecting the debt, they demanded P1.8 Million… The interest is high if you borrowed in the casino.)

Because he couldn’t pay, the suspects kidnapped the victim and brought him to another hotel in Pasay City.

The victim was able to contact his wife, who sought assistance from the police.

“Ito ay nakidnap early morning ng May 19, and then in the afternoon naka-responde agad kami at narescue agad namin ang victim. Naaresto namin ang mga suspek,” added Abrenica.

(He was kidnapped early in the morning on May 19, and then in the afternoon we were able to respond and rescue the victim right away. The suspects were arrested immediately)

Complaints for kidnapping and serious illegal detention have been filed against the suspects before the Department of Justice.

GMA News is trying to get the reaction of the suspects.

Based on data from the PNP-AKG, there had been nine cases of kidnapping from January to May 2024. This was less than the 13 cases from January to May 2023.

Most of the kidnapping victims were Chinese, the PNP said. — Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News