Camp BGen Rafael T Crame, Quezon City β In a major operational breakthrough that underscores the Philippine National Policeβs intensified campaign against kidnapping and organized crime, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) in synergy across all agencies and stakeholders successfully arrested a female Chinese and a Filipino National involved in the kidnapping for ransom case of a Filipino dentist during a hot pursuit operations conducted in Pasay City and Laguna, respectively.
Following the receipt of the report on July 11, 2026, the AKG took cognizance of the case and launched a thorough investigation coupled with intense operational activities. Through the concerted efforts of AKG operatives, in close coordination with personnel of Pasay City Police Station, successfully arrested TING ZHAO, a 25-year-old Chinese national who was engaged in cryptocurrency exchange, online selling and currently residing in Pasay City on July 14, 2026, at about 7:50 AM. Subsequently, at about 10:40 AM, AKG operatives arrested a Filipino suspect identified as Charlie Capistrano Buban, 23 years old, delivery rider, resident of ParaΓ±aque, Manila. The said suspect was apprehended in Majayjay, Laguna.
Both suspects were positively identified by the witnesses as among those involved in this kidnapping during the pay-off operation. This positive identification serves as a crucial piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation and bolsters the filing of appropriate criminal charges against the arrested suspects.
Recovered from the suspects at the time of arrest were the full amount of the ransom money, a cash-counting machine, and several mobile phones. These items have been taken into custody and are currently undergoing proper documentation, processing, and forensic examination.
On July 15, 2026, at about 5:30 PM, the two suspects were subjected to inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice, docketed under Investigation Slip No. XVI-INQ-26G-00059 dated July 15, 2026, for the offenses of Kidnapping for Ransom, Violation of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, and Violation of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). Both respondents voluntarily submitted themselves to the inquest proceedings and opted not to execute a waiver under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code.
βWe continue to work hard hand in hand 24/7 to protect the public and aggressively pursue individuals involved in Kidnap-for-ransom activities as we remain steadfast in our mission to intensify intelligence-driven operations, strengthen inter-agency coordination, and see to it that no criminal organization can threaten the safety and security of our communities.β emphasized by PBGEN EDWIN C BALLES, Acting Director, AKG.
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