Kidnap suspect deported while undergoing trial

One of the seven Chinese nationals accused in a celebrated kidnapping-for-ransom case four years ago has been deported despite a hold-departure order issued against him.

Zhang Du, alias Wilson Zhang, was deported last May 7 even though he was still facing trial at the regional trial court in San Fernando City in La Union.

The family of kidnap victim Jackie Tiu learned about Zhang’s deportation when Tiu’s father checked with the case officer on the progress of the trial.

Zhang, whose charge was reduced from prime suspect to accessory, was out on bail. However, during the course of the trial it was discovered that he was staying in the country illegally and had been held by the Bureau of Immigration at the BI detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig City snce 2002.

"As per logbook of the BID detention cell, the said person was deported to (People’s Republic of China) last May 2," the case officer told Jackie Tiu in a mobile phone text message.

Tiu made a complaint to Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez last August after Philippine National Police chief Director General Arturo Lomibao confirmed Zhang’s deportation.

"It seems to me that some unscrupulous officers in your department could have participated in facilitating the unwarranted deportation of Zhang Du, a.k.a. Wilson Zhang," Tiu wrote in her letter dated Aug. 23, a copy of which was furnished to The STAR.

"It is therefore adding agonizing insult to injury that in spite of my efforts, cooperation and desire to prevent others from being victimized also, certain individuals from certain branches of this government assisted my kidnapper to get his undeserved freedom by ordering Zhang Du to be deported back to China," Tiu said.

Now 33, Tiu still lives in fear. Her ordeal began on Sept. 27, 2001 when she was abducted near her house. She was rescued eight days later.

The ransom paid to her captors was recovered and seven Chinese nationals, one of them Zhang, were arrested at the Westin Philippine Plaza hotel in Pasay City.

Dismayed by the lack of action from law enforcement agencies, Tiu went to Malacañang yesterday and sought assistance from President Arroyo.

Accompanied by Teresita Ang-See of the watchdog group Citizens Against Crime and Corruption, Tiu said she wants those responsible for Zhang’s escape punished.

Mrs. Arroyo ordered Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes, chief of the National Anti-Crime Task Force, to personally take charge of the investigation.

Reyes was also directed to work with the Department of Foreign Affairs to have Zhang returned to the Philippines.

Reyes said he might fly to Beijing to, among other official missions, seek help from Chinese Defense Minister Chi Hao-Tian in the case.

An initial investigation found that Zhang was escorted to the airport by immigration bureau personnel.

Tiu submitted to the bureau a copy of the plane ticket and suspected forged clearances from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Immigration and the court that purportedly allowed Zhang to leave the country.

"It is almost four years since my world was turned upside down by this crime. I have already suffered and sacrificed so much," Tiu said in her letter to Fernandez. "I feel that I am being victimized over and over by the very people who are supposed to protect and help me."