Philippine authorities rescued a Chinese student terrorized by a transnational kidnapping ring that amputated his finger to pressure his family for millions. The 14-year-old victim, abducted outside a British school in Manila last month, was abandoned by suspects during a police chase Tuesday night.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed the family refused to pay the initial $20 million demand.
We know this crime involved Chinese targeting Chinese,Remulla stated, revealing communications via WeChat. The kidnappers slashed their demand to $1 million before severing the victim's pinky tip and sending graphic video proof.
The case exposes alarming ties between collapsed online gambling operations and organized crime. Suspects include ex-Filipino police and soldiers collaborating with Chinese nationals previously involved in illegal gambling hubs. These networks thrived under former President Duterte before President Marcos Jr. ordered shutdowns in 2023.
Critical evidence emerged from the victim’s murdered driver, whose body was found alongside cellphones in an abandoned vehicle. Police identified these clues as pivotal for tracking suspects now at large.
Key developments:
- Ransom reduced from $20M to $1M after initial refusal
- Kidnappers used cryptocurrency channels for transactions
- Surge in scams and abductions post-gambling crackdown
Remulla warned that shuttered gambling groups increasingly turn to violent crimes. Investment scams and love traps remain active threats,he added, urging vigilance against evolving syndicate tactics.