The Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Cebu, Zhang Zhen,
expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) for
rescuing a Chinese businesswoman from her kidnappers in Panglao, Bohol.
In a letter dated October 25, 2023, Zhang Zhen praised the leadership and
dedication of BPPO Provincial Director PCol Lorenzo A. Batuan and the teamwork
and efficiency of the Panglao police officers who conducted the rescue operation on
October 24, 2023.
The letter stated that the rescue operation was an enormous undertaking but went
smoothly and efficiently, and helped avoid potentially regretful events. Zhang Zhen
also said that the Consulate was always grateful for the support the Philippine
National Police (PNP) has given them through the years.
The rescued businesswoman, identified as Li Xue, was abducted by four armed men
on October 23, 2023 while she was checking in at a resort in Panglao. The
kidnappers demanded a ransom of P50 million from her family in exchange for her
release.
The BPPO, in coordination with the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) of the PNP and
the Consulate, launched a rescue operation after locating the hideout of the
kidnappers in Barangay Lourdes, Panglao.
Li Xue was safely recovered by the authorities and brought to a hospital for medical
check-up.
PCol Batuan said that the rescue operation was a success due to the cooperation
and collaboration of all the units involved. He also thanked Zhang Zhen for his
appreciation and assured him that the BPPO will continue to protect and serve all
people in Bohol, regardless of their nationality.
KIDNAPPING IN BOHOL
The Chinese national businesswoman was kidnapped in Bohol by a group of four
Chinese nationals and two Filipinos was rescued by the Bohol Police on Tuesday
morning.
The victim is from Jiangsu Province, China, and she was held captive in Panglao
since October 18, 2023.
The rescue operation was conducted by the joint forces of the Provincial Intelligence
Unit-BPPO, Provincial Mobile Force Company, Panglao MPS, Dauis MPS, and
Provincial Intelligence Team led by Bohol PPO Provincial Director PCol. Lorenzo
Batuan, with the assistance of the Regional Intelligence Division 7 and the
coordination of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG). The operation resulted in the
arrest of the six suspects and the seizure of two firearms and two vehicles.
The suspects were identified as Hong Tianfu, 34, Deng Ru You, 34, Wang Lie, 33,
and Long Qingqing, 34, all Chinese nationals; and Roberson Jeremy Atienza, 25,
and Jonel Dave Olayres, 23, both Filipinos. According to the investigation, the
suspects demanded ransom money from the victim’s family through a bank transfer.
The victim was reported missing on October 23 by the Panglao MPS as a possible
case of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
The Bohol Police then tracked down the location of the kidnappers and launched the
rescue operation.
The victim was safely recovered and processed according to the health safety
protocol before being handed over to his family.
Governor Aris Aumentado visited the crime scene in Poblacion, Panglao and
congratulated PCol. Batuan and the Bohol Police for their successful rescue of the
Chinese national and arrest of the alleged kidnappers.
The six suspects are now under the custody of the Panglao MPS for booking
procedures and are facing charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention.
Meanwhile, in an interview with Police LtCol. Norman Nuez over Open Forum of
DYTR, deputy director of the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO), the police
official said they are grateful to those who helped them solve the crime quickly, but
he also apologized for not being able to disclose some details to protect the ongoing
investigation.
Nuez said that they have arrested the suspects and rescued the victim, but they are
still conducting follow-up operations.
He revealed some details about how the kidnapping happened, saying that it started
with a chat app where the kidnappers pretended to be government officials from
China who asked for money from the victim’s son.
The son sent some money to an account that was given by the kidnappers, but it did
not go through because it was flagged as a suspicious account by the Bank of
China.
The bank then alerted the son that his mother might be a victim of a scam. The son
tried to contact his mother, but she only showed her face and body part on video call,
which made him more suspicious.
He then coordinated with the Philippine Consulate in China, who contacted the
Panglao Police Station to report a missing person case.
Nuez said that they traced the signal of the victim’s cell phone, but it was not used
anymore.
They also conducted a serious investigation on where she was last seen and who
she was with.
Nuez said they found out that she was taken by three Chinese nationals who
returned three times to Panglao with different identities.
He said they were able to arrest them with the help of their operatives.
He also said that four other Chinese nationals who were involved in kidnapping for
ransom cases in Manila were arrested in Panglao.
He said that they coordinated with the NCRPO to get information about their
background.
He bared that they have a system in the PNP where they can search for criminal
records, but they have to follow a protocol.
During the interview hosted by Ardy Araneta Batoy, Nuez also read a letter from Xian
Zieng, the Consul General of China in Cebu, who expressed his gratitude for their
exemplary work in rescuing the Chinese businesswoman.
He said that he received this letter on October 23 from Police Colonel Lorenzo
Batuan, BPPO Provincial Director.
He said that the diplomat’s letter shows their appreciation for the Bohol PNP
leadership and dedication, as well as police teamwork and efficiency.