The Southern Police District (SPD) has demonstrated its commitment to swift and decisive action in accordance with the ‘3-Minute Response’ directive from Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III.
On Friday, the SPD rescued a Vietnamese woman and arrested three Chinese nationals who allegedly kidnapped and raped her.
The case began when the Makati City Police Station’s Investigation and Detective Management Section received a report about a 33-year-old Vietnamese national.
She was reportedly held captive by men demanding a ransom of 500 million Vietnamese Dong (approximately P1 million) from her husband, who is currently abroad.
The husband informed a friend in the Philippines about the threat, prompting the latter to quickly report it to the Makati Police. The Makati police then coordinated with SPD units and executed a rapid response under the district’s intensified strategy.
Initial investigations revealed that on June 2, the suspects lured the victim to meet them in Makati City. Upon her arrival at a friend’s condominium in Bel-Air, she was forcibly taken to another condominium in Barangay San Lorenzo, where she was raped.
The following day, the suspects transported her to Tagaytay, where she was raped again, drugged, and filmed by other perpetrators before they returned to Makati for the ransom attempt.
When police approached the suspects’ unit, a Filipina companion of one of the suspects was sent out to try and mislead them. However, during questioning, she confirmed the presence of another woman inside the unit.
In line with the 3-Minute Response mandate, members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and the Tactical Motorcycle Riding Unit quickly secured the area and arrested the Chinese nationals, identified as Alias Lei, 32; Alias Xing, 33; and Alias Zhou, 38.
Police also recovered weapons and ammunitions, packs of suspected shabu and other illegal substances, a pair of handcuffs, boodle money, a Hyundai Starex van, six car keys, two mobile phones, and various drug paraphernalia.
The suspects are currently detained at the Makati City Police Station Custodial Facility, and multiple charges are being prepared against them, including kidnapping-for-ransom, rape, illegal possession of firearms, illegal drugs, and violations related to human trafficking.
“This successful operation highlights the effectiveness of the SPD’s coordinated operational readiness and the dedication of our personnel in protecting the community. We will relentlessly pursue criminal elements to ensure the safety of our residents through swift, intelligence-driven policing,” said SPD Director Brigadier Gen. Joseph Arguelles.
“I commend the leadership of Col. Jean Dela Torre and the bravery of the Makati CPS operatives, along with all supporting SPD units, for their professionalism and commitment to justice.”
