AKG-7 eyes organized group behind 2 kidnap for ransom incidents in Lapu-Lapu City

The bodies of four alleged Chinese kidnappers are in a morgue in Mandaue City. The four were killed in an armed encounter with the police who rescued a 70-year-old Chinese national in Barangay Bangkal, Lapu-Lapu City on Monday, May 30, 2022. | contributed photo

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The Anti-Kidnapping Group Visayas Field Unit is looking into the possibility that the alleged Chinese kidnappers who were killed during an armed encounter with the police on Monday evening, May 30, 2022, in Barangay Bangkal in Lapu-Lapu City, were also behind the abduction of a Chinese national on  May 7, 2022, in Barangay Mactan.

Police Lieutenant Zosimo Ravanes, team leader of the AKG VFU, said that there is also a big chance that the suspects were members of a kidnap for ransom group.

Police are also checking if the four Chinese nationals have local cohorts.

“Dina gyud ni silay mga dagko nga miyembro sa kidnap for ransom group, Manila-based. Organized kay fully armed man sila, dako man sila nga grupo,” Ravanes said.

On Monday evening, May 30, authorities were able to rescue a certain Lyu Xingou, 70, in a daring rescue operation that resulted in an armed encounter.

Xingou is said to be a Chinese investor from Fujian, China but is currently residing in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City.

Police said Xingou was abducted from his garage last May 25, around 8 a.m., while he was preparing to go to work at Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City.

As he was about to go out with the gate already open, the suspects barged in and forcibly took the victim with them.

Ravanes said that it is very likely that the suspects have been monitoring the victim’s daily activities.

READ: 4 alleged Chinese kidnappers die in armed encounter with police in Lapu-Lapu City

The Mabolo Police Station received the reported kidnapping on the day but decided to endorse the case to the AKG after they found out that the kidnappers demanded ransom money from the victim’s family.

The kidnappers allegedly demanded RMB 1,000,000,000 (P7billion) in exchange for the life and freedom of the victim.

It was also learned that the family of the victim was able to give RMB 500,000 (P3 million) through WeChat.

After the case was turned over to them, the AKG immediately coordinated with the victim’s family and conducted backtracking and surveillance for a few days until they located the safe house where the victim was kept.

Ravanes said an informant tipped them about the location of the safe house inside a subdivision in Barangay Bangkal. They were also able to confirm that Chinese nationals were renting the unit.

Further surveillance and authorities later found out that the victim was indeed inside. 

“Unfortunately, pag enter nato sa kural sa balay nakasugat dayun tag buto-buto. So dunay nahitabo nga armed encounter,” Ravanes said.

“Taudtaud jod ang confrontation kay dugay man mi nakasulod sa balay kay naa may usa ka Chinese nga naa sa groundfloor,” he added.

During the exchange of gunfire, Police Master Sergeant Jornard Cumahig of AKG VFU was shot in the chest but suffered no injuries as he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

According to Ravanes, the suspects used .45 and 9 mm handguns.

As of this posting, authorities have yet to establish the identities of the suspects.

Ravanes said that the victim and his family also could not identify any of the four kidnappers.

The victim allegedly told police, that while in captivity, he saw the suspects but was not familiar with any of them.

Ravanes said that from the May 7 operation they had in Barangay Mactan, they thought that that was the last kidnap for ransom incident in Cebu Island. However, the same incident was repeated last Monday.

Ravanes said it is now a bigger challenge for the police to continue their investigation and assure the public that the region remains safe.  /rcg

READ: Lawmen hunting abductors of Chinese trader in Lapu-Lapu City