2 Chinese POGO workers found dead in Cavite

Two Chinese Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) employees believed to be victims of a kidnap-for-ransom scheme were found dead in Imus, Cavite.

According to Emil Sumangil's report on "24 Oras" on Friday, members of the Imus City Police found the victims' bodies inside garbage bags in the grassy portion of Daang Hari road in Barangay Pasong Buaya in May 2022.

The local police immediately sought the assistance of the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, and Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group. They were able to identify the victims as missing POGO workers who came from Mainland China.

According to CCTV footage, the victims were last seen exiting a nightclub.

"Allegedly, may kumo-contact na babae. 'Pag sakay nila sa ano...'yun na. Nawala na sila. Tapos nagkaroon ng communication sa pamilya," Imus City Police Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Jun Alamo said.

"Mayroon silang malaking halagang nalustay sa pagkakautang," he added.

Alamo said the suspects asked the families of the victim to pay CNY300,000 or approximately P2.4 million, but they failed to provide the ransom. The Chinese nationals were then killed.

According to the police chief, a witness identified the white luxury van used to transport the bodies.

"Madaling araw 'yun eh. Mga 1 a.m. siguro dumaan sila sa lugar na 'yun. Then the following day, dun na namin natagpuan ang mga bangkay," said Alamo.

Police traced Mark Anthony Cerudo, the alleged driver of the vehicle, to Parañaque City. Police invited the suspect to explain his side, but authorities filed murder charges against him on Thursday.

"Maraming butas ang statement niya," said Alamo.

GMA News reached out to Cerudo for his statement, but he has yet to respond.

Police are still investigating who else could be involved in the crime, the report said. The remains of the victims, meanwhile, have already arrived in China, it added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News