A 48-year-old Singaporean woman abducted by a Chinese syndicate at the lobby of a casino in Manila was rescued by Philippine authorities on Tuesday (Jul 18). It is believed that Wu Yan was kidnapped at the Solaire Resort and Casino — she was reportedly attacked and threatened by the kidnappers, who wanted a US$180,000 (S$246,420) ransom.
The suspects had called her family members while beating her to force them to pay for her freedom, reported Channel NewsAsia.
After she was held captive for almost four days, rescue came in the form of security guards, who spotted her feet dangling from the balcony of a condominium unit, according to news reports in Manila. She had attempted to escape by shouting and opening the veranda door of the Bayview International Towers apartment, but she was yanked back in by her abductors.
Fortunately for her, the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) was already there looking for her, as the rescue operation had commenced on Monday night. Help arrived in minutes.
According to The Straits Times, investigations revealed that the syndicate had followed her for three days while she was gambling at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Pasay City.
They finally approached her, befriended her and lured her away by claiming that she would have better luck at the City of Dreams Casino. However, she never arrived there, as she was kidnapped by four syndicate members and forced to go to the condo.
According to the police, 45 suspects aged between 25 and 35 were subsequently arrested.
They were found to have connections to a loanshark and kidnap-for-ransom syndicate that targeted foreign high-roller casino visitors as victims. The suspects were charged yesterday and may be slapped with life sentences if found guilty.
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