DOJ clears 30 of 44 foreigners linked to kidnapping of Singaporean woman

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed criminal complaints against 30 of the 44 alleged members of a kidnap-for-ransom syndicate targeting high rollers in casinos in Metro Manila.

Cleared of kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges in connection with the abduction of Singaporean Wu Yan are the following:

* Li Jia Long
* Pan Wei Jun
* Chen Chao Yi
* Chen Guo Xiong
* Wang Min
* Meng Hao
* Pao Xi
* Huan Dong Chuan
* Yan Xiao Tao
* Lin Bing Wen
* Kang Cai Chun
* Xie Qing Yun
* Lin Zhi Tian
* Li Lian Den
* Qing Chi
* Zhu Chong Guang
* Lin Feng Bin
* Liu Peng
* Zhang Fu Xing
* Li Yun
* Zeng Wei
* Wang Fei
* Zhang Cheng Jian
* Lin Chao
* Zou Guan Bao
* Rong Yi Wang
* Li Hong Bing
* Yuan Dan
* Huan Tian Peng
* Lin Yung Long

Wu was rescued after Bureau of Immigration and Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group agents swooped down on a room in Bayview International Towers in Parañaque City on July 18.

According to the Singaporean, she was forcibly taken from the Solaire Resorts and Casino and brought to the Bayview International Towers on July 17 where she was detained and beaten by her captors who threatened to kill her if she would not pay US$180,000 for her release.

In a resolution, the DOJ said the 30 respondents had not been identified by Wu as part of the group that kidnapped her.

"Not even an iota of evidence was presented [during the inquest proceedings] to show that they conspired with the alleged kidnappers of complainant Wu Yan. Not even a single act can be imputed against them," stated the resolution prepared by Assistant State Prosecutor Phillip Dela Cruz and approved by Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon and Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. 

"Since criminal liability is personal then absence of proof as to their participation to the alleged kidnapping indubitably will result to the dismissal of the complaint against said respondents," it added.

Fourteen respondents, meanwhile, availed of a full-blown preliminary investigation.

They are Ng Yu Meng, Goh Kok Meong, Chen Jing Wang, Chen Cheng Feng, Deng Kong Zhi, Ou Min, Chen Jia Yang, Cai Si Yang, Cheng Zai Zheng, Zheng Wei Xiong, Wu Shi Zhu, Huang Lifang, Li Xiang Hu and Ou Fang.

These respondents sought the dismissal of the charges against them after filing their counter affidavits in a hearing on Monday. Wu's camp has until July 31 to file a reply to the counter affidavits.

The BI, on the other hand, has started deportation proceedings against the 44 foreigners — 42 Chinese and two Malaysians — for being undesirable aliens and for violating the conditions of their stay as tourists.

“This is to ensure that these foreign criminals do not get the change to go free even if they are allowed to post bail by the court. Technically, they will be under our custody after we have charged them for immigration law violation,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said. 

“We will only deport them after they are convicted and have served their sentences.” —KBK, GMA News