CIDG nabs 2 for holding Chinese man’s passport, demanding ransom

Police arrest two individuals, a Chinese and a Filipino, in an entrapment operation along Quirino Avenue in Tambo, Parañaque City on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, for allegedly withholding another Chinese individual’s passport and demanding money for its release. (Photo from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group)

MANILA, Philippines — Police arrested two individuals, a Chinese and a Filipino, for allegedly withholding another Chinese individual’s passport and demanding money for its release, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said.

The two suspects were caught in an entrapment operation along Quirino Avenue in Tambo, Parañaque City last Wednesday, according to the CIDG’s statement on Friday.

The victim “[alleged] that the suspects held his passport and demanded P60,000 for its return.  The suspects allegedly coerced and threatened him with deportation through the Bureau of Immigration if he failed to give the money,” police detailed.

The CIDG did not specify when the passport was taken and when the P60,000 demand was made.

The Chinese suspect was identified as “Xing Tao,” while the Filipino was identified as “Basmer.”

Authorities recovered the victim’s passport during the operation.

READ: Cop & sibling who detained a Chinese in an extortion attempt nabbed

The suspects face charges before the National Prosecution Service for violating Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to robbery. /jpv