3 Chinese swindle compatriot of P5 million

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities arrested in Pasay three Chinese nationals who allegedly duped their compatriot of P5 million in exchange for the release of a foreigner who was apprehended by the Presidential Anti-Organized Commission (PAOCC) in January.

Operatives of the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested the suspects in a restaurant along President Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard on Monday night.

The CIDG said one of the suspects, Ming Wei Xiong, 33, was a former member of the People’s Liberation Army of China.

Wei was nabbed together with Changao He, 36, and Yong Pin Pang, 32.

Col. Marlon Quimno, who heads the CIDG National Capital Region field office, said the operation was based on the complaint of a Chinese.

The victim told police that the suspects defrauded him in a money-making scheme.

According to the victim, the suspects promised they would facilitate the release of his friend who is being held at the PAOCC’s custodial facility in Pasay in exchange for P5 million.

The victim gave the money after the suspects assured him that they are connected with PAOCC officials.

However, the inmate was not released and instead the suspects demanded an additional P2.5 million, which prompted the victim to seek the CIDG’s help.

The CIDG coordinated with a PAOCC official, who said the suspects are not connected with the agency.

The suspects were apprehended after they accepted bundles of marked money.

During their arrest, police noticed a picture on Ming’s cell phone, which showed him wearing a military uniform.

The suspect admitted that he was a former soldier in China.