Abducted Chinese Pogo worker released in Manila – PNP

MANILA, Philippines – The Chinese national linked to Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) abducted in Bulacan earlier this week was released in Manila Wednesday morning, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“I was informed earlier by the Anti-Kidnapping Group, who took cognizance of the case, that he was released at around 12:05 a.m. He has already visited his wife, who gave birth early that morning,” PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in Filipino in a briefing  Wednesday afternoon

“The AKG is currently debriefing him to get some information. The investigation and backtracking is continuous. He was released somewhere in Manila, so we are looking to see if we can get any evidence and scanning CCTVs near the area where he was left,” she added.

Fajardo said the victim underwent physical and medical examination. While police have identified persons-of-interest, Fajardo did not give additional details.

The victim’s family already shelled out P5 million as ransom and added more before his release, according to Fajardo.

“Since cryptocurrency was the mode of payment for the ransom, it did not happen in the Philippines. We are still in the process of coordinating with our foreign counterparts and they are helping us pinpoint where the ransom payment of at least three tranches was possibly received,” Fajardo said.

The PNP reported last Monday that the 33-year-old Chinese national allegedly involved in Pogos was kidnapped while fishing in Angat River near Bustos Dam in Bulacan at around 1 a.m. on Sunday.

“Ito ay involved dito sa Pogo, itong biktima natin. Tinitignan din natin. In fact, yung ibang mga kasamahan niya during their fishing spree allegedly also involved in Pogo operations. Tinitignan natin itong kidnapping or abduction if may kinalaman dito sa Pogo operations,” Fajardo said.

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(He is involved in Pogos. We’re looking into this. In fact, his fishing companions are also allegedly involved in Pogo operations. We’re looking into whether this kidnapping or abduction has anything to do with Pogo operations.)