POGO 'muscle group' behind Chinese student kidnapping — PAOCC

The kidnappers of the 14-year-old Chinese student in Taguig are now believed to be part of the “muscle group” associated with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

This was disclosed by Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) chief Gilbert Cruz in a radio interview on Sunday.

“That’s a muscle group, but of course, it’s still being looked into and investigated. Of course, the people involved will be checked,” Cruz said in Filipino.

He explained that a muscle group consists of retired military personnel hired by POGOs to abduct, harm, threaten, or even kill individuals in exchange for money or to force them to meet demands.

"If you owe something to POGO management, this muscle is tasked to kidnap you, torture you, and record the ordeal on video to show your family and make them pay your debt," Cruz said.

Last week, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported the successful rescue of the teenager, who had been abducted on 20 February in Taguig City.

The driver of the student's family was later found dead, several days after the kidnapped student was reunited with his father.

The PNP clarified that no ransom was paid during the rescue operation, which was carried out by the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).