A Vietnamese national was rescued from captivity in Makati City early morning on 6 June following a police operation that resulted to the arrest of three Chinese nationals for alleged kidnapping-for-ransom, rape, and illegal drug offenses. 

The victim, 33, was found in a condominium unit around Barangay San Lorenzo days after being abducted and subjected to rape and drugging. According to reports of the Investigation and Detective Management Section of Makati City Police Station, the suspects reportedly demanded 500 million Vietnamese dong (around 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. The threat was related to a friend of the victim’s husband in the Philippines who contacted authorities. 

Initial investigation reveals that the suspects lured the victim to meet them at 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 Policer District narrated 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 operation after verifying the location.

When police arrived, a Filipina companion of one suspect tried to divert them. However, she admitted that the victim was being held inside the unit during questioning. 

Three Chinese nationals identified by aliases Lei, 32; Xing, 33; and Zhou, 38 were arrested at the scene.

Seized during the operation were two firearms with suppressors, several rounds of ammunition, six sachets of suspected shabu, a larger sachet weighing around 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 also revealed that alias Lei has previous records involving kidnapping, illegal detention, car theft, and illegal possession of firearms indicating involvement in organized crime networks.

The suspects are detained at the Makati City Police Station Custodial Facility. Charges of kidnapping-for-ransom, rape, illegal possession of firearms and drugs, and violations related to human trafficking are being prepared.