MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said it was investigating a “kidnap me” incident in Manila that involved some Chinese individuals, saying it was possible that the crime might have been staged. 

A 41-year-old Chinese was allegedly abducted on April 17 in Manila for P500,000 ransom, according to PNP Public Information Office Chief Col. Randulf Tuaño. 

A Taiwanese and a Filipino – allegedly the kidnappers – were arrested by police in Paranaque on April 22. 

Based on the PNP's investigation, Tuaño said the victim talked to two of their officemates from an interior firm and gave instructions to have the ransom money converted into a cryptocurrency and transfer this to a cryptocurrency account. 

“Ang instruction mismo ng biktima na magproduce daw ng P500,000 at makaraang ireport sa kanya na nakapagproduce ng P500,000 nagbigay siya ng panibagong instruction na iconvert yung P500,000 sa isang cryptocurrency na kung saan binigay niya yung cryptocurrency account kung saan hinulog yung perang ibinilin niya,” Tuaño said. 

“Tinitingnan natin yung anggulo na ito ay possibly isang kidnap me kung mapapansin ninyo ordinarily ang nagdedemand sa isang [kidnap-for-ransom] na kaso ay yung mga suspects pero ito kakaiba siya sapagkat siya mismo ang nagbibigay ng instructions,” he said. 

“Isa pa sa patunay na possible na ito ay isang kidnap me sapagkat siya ay binaba sa isang [coffee shop] sa may Sucat, Paranaque,” he added. 

To top the suspicions, Tuaño said the victim had more instructions to the officemates regarding attendance. 

“Nung tumawag yung reported victim sa kanyang kasamahan sa opisina sinabi niya na magproduce nga ng P500,000 at ireport mismo sa kanilang opisina na siya ay mawawala ng 2 to 3 days kaya lumalakas yung ating insinuations na ito ay kidnap-me case,” he said. 

The victim, the police official said, was released on April 20. The victim also supposedly refused to cooperate with the investigating officers. 

“Nnagiging challenge sa ngayon is ayaw na magbigay ng affidavit-complaint yung victim kaya lumalakas yung ating hinala na anggulo na ito ay isang kidnap case,” he said. 

The PNP said a case conference is being held to discuss the matter with the firm, the suspects, and other people involved in the incident.