Authorities announced on Wednesday the rescue of 43 Chinese nationals, one of them a kidnap victim, during operations by the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in Angeles City, Pampanga.
The rescue of the kidnap victim and the 42 others who were victims of human trafficking were announced by Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos during a news briefing at the AKG headquarters on Wednesday afternoon.
Reading a statement, Abalos said the kidnap victim was rescued after midnight on Tuesday in Angeles City, Pampanga.
A suspect identified as Chen Yi Bien alias Ayi, 33, Human Resource Manager of Lucky South 99, was arrested during the operation.
Abalos said the operation stemmed from information provided by foreign police counterparts of the PNP and was based on complaints of the family of the kidnap victim, who was held for P1 million ransom beginning on Monday evening.
The rescue of the Chinese led to the rescue of the 42 other Chinese nationals, also at the Lucky South 99.
“Incidental to the rescue of the kidnapped foreigner, 42 other Chinese nationals who were similarly enslaved under human trafficking conditions in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) establishment were likewise rescued by operatives of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG),” Abalos said.
He said a crackdown on unauthorized security personnel employed in POGO establishments, inspection and audit have been ordered by PNP chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr.
“This is to preclude possible involvement of private security providers in illegal activities at POGO and other gaming establishments,” he said.