Kidnapped Vietnamese woman rescued

Kidnapped Vietnamese woman rescued | Daily Tribune

Police rescued a Vietnamese woman from captivity in Makati City early Thursday and arrested three Chinese nationals accused of kidnapping-for-ransom, rape and illegal drug offenses.

The 33-year-old victim was found in a condominium unit in Barangay San Lorenzo, days after she was allegedly abducted, raped and drugged.

According to reports from the Investigation and Detective Management Section of the Makati City Police Station, the suspects demanded 500 million Vietnamese dong or approximately P1 million in ransom from the woman’s husband, who is currently overseas.

Police said the suspects also threatened to mutilate the victim if the ransom was not paid. This threat was relayed to authorities by a friend of the victim’s husband in the Philippines.

Initial investigation indicates the suspects lured the victim to a condominium in Bel-Air, where she was forcibly taken to another condominium in Barangay San Lorenzo and raped.

“The following day, the suspects transported her to Tagaytay, where she was again raped, drugged and filmed by additional perpetrators before being brought back to Makati for the extortion attempt,” the Southern Police District said in a statement.

A composite team from the Makati Police, Special Weapons and Tactics, District Mobile Force Battalion, Station Intelligence Section, and the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit launched the rescue operation after verifying the woman’s location.

Upon the arrival of police, a Filipina companion of one of the suspects attempted to mislead them but later admitted the victim was being held inside the unit during questioning.

Three Chinese nationals, identified as alias Lei, alias Xing and alias Zhou were arrested at the scene.

During the operation, authorities seized two firearms with suppressors, ammunition, six sachets of suspected shabu, a larger sachet weighing approximately 20 grams with an estimated street value of P136,800, a bottle of suspected liquid ecstasy, drug paraphernalia, handcuffs, mobile phones, boodle money, a Hyundai Starex van and multiple car keys.

Background checks revealed that the suspect identified as Lei has previous records involving kidnapping, illegal detention, car theft and illegal possession of firearms, suggesting involvement in organized crime networks.

The suspects are currently detained at the Makati City Police Station Custodial Facility. Charges of kidnapping-for-ransom, rape, illegal possession of firearms and drugs, and violations of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act are being prepared against them.