Bodies of two foreign-looking men found in SCTEX, police believe kidnap for ransom syndicate behind rash of killings

The bodies of two foreign-looking individuals were found along the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) on Tuesday morning.

According to Saleema Refran's report on "24 Oras," the half naked bodies bore signs  of torture.

The bodies were found near Porac Exit after authorities  and may be related to a case of an Chinese national, a former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) worker, who survived a shooting incident on Monday.

"Foreigner looking, pero we cannot conclude kung ano talaga yung nationality," said Police Lieutenant Palmyra Guardaya, Porac Chief of Police, .

(The look like foreigners but we cannot conclude their nationality.)

"May mga wounds siya, may mga pasa. Yung iba halos nangingitim na, ibig sabihin matagal na. Tapos yung iba, mapula-pula pa. Sariwa pa ibig sabihin mga bago pa. Tingin ko bago siya pinatay, talagang napahirapan muna siya," said Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz.

(They had wounds and bruises, some old, others fresh. I believe they were made to suffer before they were killed.)

An investigation is ongoing with Pampanga police coordinating with the PNP Anti-Kidnapping Group, the National Bureau of Investigation, and various embassies to determine the victim's identities.

The PAOCC is also investigating the former POGO worker who was shot in Porac and is now being treated in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

Police said the Chinese man sustained eight gunshot wounds but his condition is stable although there is still a bullet lodged in his neck.

Through an interpreter, the man said he applied for a job he found on Facebook. He was told that he would be picked up in Pasay City to undergo a medical exam in Clark, Pampanga. He said he was surprised when he was held at gunpoint and told he was being kidnapped and held for ransom.

"The kidnappers asked for a ransom of 200,000 yuan, which is equivalent to P1.5 to1.6 million pesos. After they have confirmed everything, meaning to say they are quite sure these victims cannot pay up the ransom. They wait until midnight, 3 a.m., they bring him to the forest area to shoot him," the interpreter said.

PAOCC said that based on the statement, the people behind the killings may also be Chinese nationals.

"According sa kaniya, binira lang siya doon sa area. Kasama nung mga kasama niya which is sabi nga po niya, probably na mga patay na," said Guardaya.

(According to the victim, he and his companions were shot in the area. He believes they are probably dead.)

Prior to these incidents, the body of an unidentified, foreign-looking man was discovered in a remote part of the town of Mexico, Pampanga last November 1.The man was on  the head.

Two Chinese women who were kidnapped were rescued in Mabalacat, Pampanga.

Police are investigating if these cases are related with the POGO's illegal activities.

"Nakakaalarma na rin kasi. Akala kasi natin ano lang to, mga kidnappings na pinatutubos, now patayan na yung ginagawa nila e," said Cruz.

(It's really  alarming. At first it was just kidnap for ransom but now whoever is behind these are murdering people.)  —Sherilyn Untalan/RF, GMA Integrated News