Chinese-Malaysian accused of kidnapping daughter

CAMP PACIANO RIZAL, Laguna, Philippines—A Chinese-Malaysian national has been charged with kidnapping his own daughter in Laguna in what appeared to be an attempt to take custody of the child from his estranged Filipina  partner.

Police Officer 1 Lovella Ramos, case investigator, said Yuen Hoong Kin, 42, was charged with  kidnapping in the prosecutor’s office in Biñan City, Laguna, on Monday.

Ramos said witnesses saw Yuen fetch his daughter, Yinqan, 15, from her school, the De La Salle Canlubang, on the morning of March 8.

The girl’s grandfather, Salustiano Yutiampo, 74, told police that Yuen did not return the girl.

Ramos said the victim was Yuen’s daughter by Filipina Tarra-Anne Yutiampo,  who is now in the United States. She said the woman and her daughter used to live with Yuen in Malaysia before Tarra-Anne and Yuen parted ways.

Tarra-Anne and her daughter returned to the Philippines and lived with Salustiano in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna, after a Malaysian court in 2011 awarded the woman the custody of her daughter, the policewoman said.

Ramos said Salustiano also petitioned for a hold departure order to prevent Yuen and the victim from leaving the country.