Palace probing kidnapping of Chinese nationals

The government is investigating the kidnapping of Chinese nationals in the country, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro assured the Filipino-Chinese community on Thursday. — File photo

MANILA, Philippines — The government is investigating the kidnapping of some Chinese nationals in the Philippines, a Palace official assured the Filipino-Chinese business community on Thursday.

“Patuloy po ang pag-iimbestiga po dito. Hindi po ito tutulugan ng gobyerno. Ang lahat po na nagaganap dito ay pinagbilin po ng pangulo na dapat imbestigahang mabuti para po ma-lessen o ma-eradicate ang mga ganitong klaseng krimen dito sa Pilipinas,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during a briefing.

(The investigation is ongoing. The government will not ignore this. Everything that is happening here has been instructed by the president to be thoroughly investigated in order to lessen or eradicate these types of crimes here in the Philippines.)

She also said that the administration is not being complacent about these cases.

READ: PNP: Chinese trader, driver found dead; cops probing ties to Pogos

Earlier in the day, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that kidnapped Chinese businessman Congyuan Guo, also known as Anson Tan, and his driver were found dead in Rodriguez, Rizal.

Fajardo said a vehicle belonging to the businessman was recovered in Quezon City on April 8, and investigators are looking into a report that two people in hoodies had abandoned the victim’s Lexus.

READ: PNP anti-kidnapping chief axed over slew of abductions

The victims were last seen alive on March 29 at around 2 p.m. when they left Guo’s office.

Fajardo, on the other hand, also said the chief of the PNP’s anti-kidnapping arm has been relieved from duty over the abduction and killing of Guo, as well as other recent kidnapping incidents.