THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DoJ) has junked the kidnapping complaints against 30 of the 44 arrested foreign nationals believed to be part of a group targeting casino high rollers.

The DoJ also ordered the release of the 30 who were detained at the police headquarters in Quezon City.

In a nine-page resolution dated July 20 but released only yesterday, Assistant State Prosecutor Phillip L. Dela Cruz dismissed the kidnapping and serious illegal detention rap against the 30 “for lack of probable cause.”

The 30 foreign nationals have undergone inquest proceeding last week. They are: Li Jia Long, Pan Wei Jun, Chen Chao Yu, 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 Guam Bao, Rong Yi Wang, Li Hong Bing, Yuan Dan, Huan Tian Peng and Lin Yun Long.

The 44 were arrested by police and Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives last week at a hotel in Pasay City. Rescued in the operation was a Singaporean national identified as Wu Yan, who positively identified three of her alleged captors from the rounded up foreign nationals. One of the group’s cohorts remains at large.

The DoJ said the Singaporean witness failed to positively identify the 30 foreigners as among those who kidnapped and detained her.

“In the instant case, a careful perusal of the records revealed that respondents had not been identified by the complainant as part of the group that kidnapped her. Not an iota of evidence was presented to show that they conspired with the alleged kidnappers of complainant Wu Yan,” part of the resolution reads.

The DoJ added: “Not even a single act can be imputed against them. 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.”

The 14 other foreign nationals remain in detention as the DoJ started their preliminary investigation last Monday.

BI Commissioner Jaime H. Morente, in a statement last weekend, said the BI has started looking into the deportation proceedings of the 44 foreign nationals for being undesirable aliens and for violating their conditions as tourists. Under the law, however, foreign nationals can only be deported after conviction and after having served their sentences. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

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