A FILIPINO transgender woman allegedly involved in the kidnapping of a Chinese last month was arrested last week in Manila by operatives of the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, the police said yesterday.
AKG spokesman Lt. Col. Jowel Saliba said Daniela Qua Lim, 25, a resident of Unit 1608 Brio Tower in Makati City, and three Chinese cohorts abducted Lifei Xiong, 23, a Chinese employee of the Northgate Cyber Zone in Muntinlupa City, on October 20 near the company.
Xiong was released the following day after paying P1.15 million, but was asked thrice by the suspects to give them more cash or end up killed. Police said the victim heeded the demand of the suspects.
On November 29, the victim received a text message from Lim demanding P35,000, to be paid the following day.
The victim sought police assistance, leading to an entrapment operation.
As agreed, the victim paid the amount to Lim in front of the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City on the afternoon of November 30. Lim boarded a taxi after receiving the amount and headed for Roxas boulevard in Manila.
Duenas said AKG operatives chased the taxi which was cornered along Pedro Gil street in Manila, in front of a fastfood chain, and apprehended Lim at around 4 p.m.
Found in the possession of Lim was an envelope containing a dusted money amounting to P20,000. Also seized from Lim’s possession were personal belongings, including a cellphone and ATM cards.
Saliba named Lim’s cohorts as Leng Yang, Lan Weiqiang, and Chen Huang Sheng.