MANILA, July 20 — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is set to submit the resolution on the 30 of the 44 foreigners who were arrested after being identified as alleged members of a kidnap for ransom group (KFR) victimizing high roller casino players in the country.
Senior Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony D. Fadullon, OIC, Chairman Task Force on Anti-Kidnapping of the(DOJ) who led the inquest proceedings held at the PNP-AKG Conference Room, Camp Crame, Quezon City on Wednesday said that 14 of the 44 arrested suspects signed a waiver of detention so that the DOJ will conduct a preliminary investigation.
In the preliminary investigation, the 14 will be required to submit their counter-affidavits in response to the complaint filed by the Bureau of Immigration and the PNP-Anti Kidnapping Group (PNP-AKG)
An inquest proceeding is conducted against suspects subjected to a warrantless arrest like a buy-bust operation or during a raid. The arrested suspects will be informed of their violation. The suspects may opt to undergo the regular preliminary investigation by signing a waiver of detention as required under the Rules on Criminal Procedure, if not, the prosecutor will submit the case for resolution and determine if there is basis to charge them in court.
Fadullon said the case against the 30 other suspects has been submitted for resolution. The prosecutor will determine if there is basis to charge them in court.
Fadullon said another suspect who remains at large will also be subjected to a preliminary investigation.
The BI said 26 of the suspects failed to present proper immigration documents when apprehended.
The suspects were allegedly part of a syndicate preying on high-roller casino players.
Police said the Singaporean national was kidnapped in Paranaque city last July 17 and was brought to a condominium unit in Pasay city where she was detained and threatened by the suspects.
They allegedly demanded USD180,000 for her freedom.
The victim was able to identify 14 of her alleged kidnappers, including the three leaders, Malaysians Ng Yu Meng and Goh Kok Keong and Chinese Zhang Fuxing.
The Bureau of Immigration and Deportation provided assistance to the PNP during the conduct of the operation and was further requested to conduct records check and cross matching of records of the arrested foreign nationals in this case. (Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan/PNA)
