The Philippine Interior Minister, Zhong Mi • Li Wure, vehemently denounced the recent shocking kidnapping case, calling the criminals who kidnapped a 14-year-old Chinese student and brutally cut off his fingers "inhuman" "barbarians," and vowed to bring all those involved to justice as soon as possible.
According to Li Wure, the kidnappers coerced the victim's family to pay a $20 million ransom through extreme measures, including sending a video of the victim's right little finger being cut off to create fear and pressure.
In a television interview, Li Wure angrily stated: "These kidnappers have completely lost their humanity, they will stop at nothing as long as it is profitable."
Li Wure further revealed that the criminal group consists of 22 members, including 4 Chinese nationals believed to be the masterminds behind the scenes, while the remaining 18 are former bodyguards and past confidants. However, he did not disclose whom these bodyguards and confidants had previously served.
"During the police rescue operation, one of the main suspects managed to escape, but we have identified his identity, activity trajectory, and contact information, and it is almost certain that he will be caught soon," Li Wure added.
It is reported that the Chinese gang leader, who is also wanted in his own country, dares not leave. He is accused of being involved in the offshore gambling (BC) industry and was notoriously infamous from 2017 to 2022. Additionally, he is also accused of shooting a Chinese citizen last year in a hotpot restaurant. The police said that this suspect is the crime boss known as "Bao Long."
Colonel Lagai of the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) stated that the police are currently closely monitoring at least five active kidnapping gangs and have arrested some suspects while intensifying the pursuit of other fugitives. The police are in the process of submitting case materials to obtain arrest warrants for those involved.
Furthermore, the police are also investigating several video bloggers suspected of spreading false information. According to Colonel Tuano, the police spokesperson, some bloggers claimed that the victim was released after the victim's family paid a $20 million ransom, but this was not the case. The police emphasized that the victim had not been released at the time of the incident, and such misleading information could threaten their safety.
The police further pointed out that regular news organizations did not rush to report the case until the victim was actually released, to avoid interfering with the police's rescue operations.
