Recently in the Philippines, there has been a series of disturbances! Just after the Spring Festival, there have been several kidnapping cases related to the Chinese community in the Philippines. Before February was over, more than 400 ATI were arrested for dog pushing! Subsequently, a 14-year-old Chinese boy was kidnapped!
Unknown until investigated, the kidnapping case was shockingly also related to POGO, and even linked to retired Filipino soldiers and the Xiao Jun Gan shooting case!
Today, let's sort out the kidnapping case of the Chinese student!
Sudden Kidnapping: 14-Year-Old Chinese Student Mysteriously Disappears
On the afternoon of February 20, 2025, a 14-year-old Chinese male student at the British School Manila (BSM) in Taguig City, Philippines, was kidnapped after school. The victim left the school in a car driven by a family driver and then lost contact with his family. The family immediately reported to the police after unsuccessful attempts to call him.
The news caused an uproar in the Chinese community in the Philippines. The BGC area in Taguig City has always been considered one of the safest and most modern business districts in the Philippines, and the victim's school is a well-known local noble school. In such a location, such a vicious kidnapping case occurred, causing many parents to panic!
That afternoon, the police found the vehicle carrying the student abandoned about 10 kilometers from the school, with no one inside.
On February 21, the police found another vehicle related to the case about 70 kilometers from BGC, where they discovered the murdered driver, along with fake police uniforms, IDs, and multiple mobile phones among other evidence.
Kidnappers Appear: Demanding a Ransom of 20 Million US Dollars
A few days later, the kidnappers contacted the victim's family and released a shocking video:
-In the video, the victim was tied to a chair, with visible injuries on his face and a pained expression.
-The kidnappers threatened the family in stiff Chinese, demanding a ransom of 20 million US dollars, or they would kill the victim.
-Most shockingly, part of the victim's fingers appeared to have been cut off, showing the kidnappers' ruthless methods and lack of mercy for the hostage.
The police later reported that this kidnapping case was similar to recent frequent kidnapping incidents in the Philippines, possibly related to underground gambling and online fraud, with the banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) being directly implicated.
POGO Scandal Emerges: Kidnapping Tied to Underground Casinos
As the investigation deepened, the Philippine National Police (PNP) discovered that the case was related to a Chinese suspect named "Bao Long."
-Background of Bao Long: After investigation, the police found that he was an important member of a Philippine underground gambling group, closely connected to several illegal POGO operators. The shocking Xiao Jun Gan shooting case earlier this year was also his doing! It was unexpected that he stayed in the Philippines after fleeing, and within just four months, he committed another bold crime!
According to the statements from the Minister of the Interior, Bao Long's criminal group consists of 22 members, with him and three other Chinese suspects considered the masterminds, while the remaining 18 are former bodyguards and past confidants.
-Motivation for the Kidnapping: Sources revealed that the victim's family members had been involved in POGO business and might have had financial disputes with the criminal group, leading to the child becoming a target for retaliation. However, according to the victim's mother, the family had no connections with POGO, and the kidnapping might have been triggered by the driver showing off his wealth. The driver had been employed for only a few months and had previously worked in a certain park. It might have been during his show-off that he caught the attention of some malicious people.
-Crime Pattern: In recent years, many POGO operators have faced financial difficulties due to poor management or government crackdowns. Some criminal groups have started kidnapping operators, investors, or even their family members to coerce repayment or obtain ransom. Similar cases have occurred since the ban was issued, but unlike in this case, many hostages were not as lucky as this young boy; they were either killed for not paying the ransom or disappeared without a trace.
It is worth noting that since January 2024, the Philippine police have recorded 40 kidnapping cases, 10 of which involved Chinese citizens, with the victims all kidnapped by Chinese suspects. Most of these cases were linked to the illegal POGO gambling industry.
Reversal! Doubts About Police Rescue Operation
On the evening of February 25, 2025, the Philippine Minister of the Interior, Remulla, announced the successful rescue of the victim, stating that the police launched a roundup operation in Parañaque City, and the kidnappers abandoned the hostage while fleeing. The victim was found wearing pajamas, with his right hand bandaged due to a severed little finger, and was immediately taken to the hospital for emergency treatment.
However, the situation was not as simple as it seemed, and the police's statement immediately sparked widespread skepticism.
(1) Did the police really "successfully rescue" the victim? The official statement was: "The kidnappers abandoned the hostage while fleeing, and the police rescued him." However, some sources claimed that the family actually paid a ransom of 1 million US dollars to secure the victim's release, and the police did not play a key role. Insiders revealed that the kidnappers had already received the money and released the victim on their own before the so-called "roundup" operation by the police.
There were also claims from a woman believed to be the victim's mother, Mrs. Wan, stating that she did not reach any agreement with the kidnappers through paying the ransom, but relied on the efforts of the police and support from all sides to successfully rescue her child.
Philippine media also reported that there were serious intelligence leaks within the police, and they only symbolically launched a "rescue operation" after the kidnappers took the money and fled.
There are different statements from various sources, making it difficult to discern the truth!
(2) Why did the kidnappers suddenly release the person? If the kidnappers really demanded 20 million US dollars, why did they only take 1 million US dollars and release the person?
If the victim's family did not pay a penny, then why did the kidnappers flee?
This has led the public to further doubt the involvement of the police and whether it was merely a facade.
The victim's family said they were involved in e-commerce and had no connections with POGO, but the Philippine National Police (PNP) stated that the victim's family had been involved in offshore gambling. Was this to divert attention and cover up the incompetence of the Philippine police, or was there some truth to it?
(3) The police's slow action, key suspects still at large
The kidnapper leader "Bao Long" is still at large, and although the police claimed to have "located his hiding place," they have not taken further action.
The members of the POGO organization involved in the case have also not been fully targeted, showing the Philippine law enforcement system's lack of effectiveness in combating illegal gambling crimes.
Escalation: Philippine Police Caught in a Storm
This kidnapping case not only shocked Philippine society but also sparked a huge controversy at the law enforcement level.
(1) The head of the anti-kidnapping unit was temporarily dismissed
The acting head of the Philippine Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG), Colonel Elmer Ragay, was temporarily relieved of his duties after the case occurred due to severe criticism. However, he was reinstated less than a week later, raising questions about whether the police high command was covering up the truth.
(2) Philippine President Marcos faces pressure to arrest "Bao Long" quickly
It must be said that this case has had a wide-reaching impact. Under the strong demands of the Chinese community and the public, even Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had to personally intervene in the case and pressure the police to solve it quickly. However, the police have still not been able to successfully arrest "Bao Long" or provide a specific action plan, leaving people puzzled.
(3) The credibility of the Philippine police is severely questioned
Due to the many doubts about the police's actions, there has been fierce criticism of the Philippine law enforcement agencies online, with many netizens believing that the police may have played a "cover-up" role in the kidnapping case. Some even mocked: "The Philippine police need to improve their self-directed and self-acted abilities, otherwise they can't even perform the basic script well."
(4) Government corruption is astonishing
According to statements from the Minister of the Interior, Remulla, at the end of February, this transnational kidnapping group led by Chinese criminals is active within the Philippines, engaging in long-term kidnapping and violent crimes, with some members already arrested by the police. Among them, some bodyguards were even formerly affiliated with the Philippine National Police or the Armed Forces, but later deserted their posts.
What is even more shocking is that some Philippine police officers and soldiers are also suspected of providing cover for the criminal group, even acting as their bodyguards to help the kidnappers evade capture.
POGO Ban in Name Only? Kidnapping Crimes Continue
Although the Philippine government officially banned POGO in 2023, it has been proven that illegal gambling groups are still active, even intertwining with kidnapping crimes and certain government forces, forming a complete black industry chain.
The Philippine police cracked 40 kidnapping cases in 2024, many of which involved victims related to POGO.
The police stated that the kidnappers involved in this case were part of a violent group employed by POGO companies, and as mentioned earlier, many members were retired soldiers. They were hired to carry out illegal tasks, including coercion, kidnapping, violent injury, and even murder.
"These people are the 'muscle' of the criminal group, specifically responsible for kidnapping and torturing victims, forcing them to pay ransom."
Conclusion: Is the Philippine Police "Fighting Crime" or "Acting"
This kidnapping case of a Chinese student not only exposed the dark side of the Philippine underground gambling industry but also raised huge doubts about the law enforcement capabilities of the Philippine police.
1. Was the police's "rescue" real or fake?
2. Why is the suspect "Bao Long" still at large?
3. In the future, will the Chinese community in the Philippines continue to be the victims of illegal POGO?
It is certain that if the Philippine police do not improve their "acting skills," the public will soon see through this farce, and the credibility of the Philippine law enforcement agencies will further collapse!
