Singapore woman beaten, held for ransom
Are organized gangs trawling for high rollers in Manila? According to CNN News, dozens of suspects were recently arrested in connection with a spate of abductions in the Philippine capital city followed by ransom demands.
The news emerged after a Singaporean woman identified as Wu Yan was kidnapped on July 17 after playing baccarat at Solaire Resorts and Casino in Manila’s Entertainment City. According to police, Wu was approached by two men who invited her to play with them at another casino.
When she agreed and entered their car, she was instead taken to what CNN described as “a rented property in Paranaque City,” held for four days, beaten and compelled to make a video asking her family for ransom of $180,000, Singapore’s Straits Times reported. Police raided the location and rounded up 43 suspects.
“We’re pleased to announce she was safely rescued,” Philippines National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa told reporters.
According to the Philippine News Agency, the woman identified 14 alleged kidnappers including suspected ringleaders Ng Yu Meng and Goh Kok Keong of Malaysia and Chinese national Zhang Fuxing. An additional 40 Chinese nationals were rounded up. Many were in the country illegally.
The news outlet reported that there were 22 kidnappings in 2016 in the Philippines, most targeting Philippine nationals and occurring on Mindanao, where government forces and Islamist militants have clashed for years.
They would target foreigners losing money and offer them a loan or to take them to another casino, after which the victims would be held for ransom.
The report may add to feelings of unease among travelers about Philippine casinos, which are still reeling after the June 2 attack at Resorts World Manila that left 37 people dead. A reported problem gambler named Jessie Javier Carlos stormed the casino that day, set fire to a gaming area and sent patrons and employees fleeing. Three dozen people died of smoke inhalation trying to take cover from the flames. Carlos later committed suicide at the scene.
