By Vann Marlo M. Villegas
THE NATIONAL BUREAU of Investigation (NBI) has arrested seven Chinese nationals for kidnapping/serious illegal detention of a fellow Chinese.
In a press statement, NBI Director Dante A. Gierran identified the suspects arrested in Pasay and Parañaque last Sunday as Luo Gen Jin, Cheng Yiguo, Liu Shenghui, Deng Shuijin, Xiong Jinxiang, Xiong Jongpeng, and Xiong Jilong.
Mr. Gierran said the case stemmed from a complaint filed by Jian Shi Lun who is the brother of the victim, Jian Shi Xin.
The NBI said the complainant claimed that a friend told him that his brother was kidnapped in Okada Manila in Parañaque City by unidentified Chinese nationals and was detained in an unidentified condominium.
The victim was allowed to call his brother to ask for ransom amounting to P200,000. The complainant paid the kidnappers the ransom through online money transfer.
The victim was released near City of Dreams in Parañaque City on March 10. The NBI said he told them that he was abducted in Okada Manila and was brought to Balagtas Royale Mansions in Pasay City.
In a joint operative composed of the NBI Special Action Unit, Task Force Against Illegal Drugs and NBI-National Capital Region, five of the Chinese nationals were arrested in the condominium where the victim was held captive.
Messrs. Luo and Chen were apprehended by NBI operatives following information received that they were at Solaire Resort and Casino.
In another development, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) arrested in Parañaque City on March 9 Chinese national Xu Wenlu who is wanted for large-scale fraud.
The BI said in a statement that Mr. Xu, 53, is wanted in Beijing for large-scale fraud that deprived the Chinese government coffers of US$4.5 million.
The BI said a red notice from Interpol was issued against him after he was charged with issuing false special value-added tax invoices amounting to 200-million yuan which incurred tax losses to the government of around 30 million yuan.
The BI said Mr. Xu will be deported soon.

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