Suspected head of kidnapping gang repatriated to China from Philippines

A fugitive suspected of heading a kidnapping gang in the Philippines was captured and repatriated to China on the evening of Wednesday following close cooperation between Chinese and Philippine law-enforcement authorities, the Chinese embassy in the Philippines said.

The suspect, surnamed Qiu, is a core member of a criminal group led by a person surnamed Shi, according to the embassy.

The group had long been involved in violent crimes, including kidnapping and murder, and had repeatedly planned and carried out serious attacks targeting Chinese nationals, causing severe harm to the safety of Chinese citizens and their property, the embassy said.

After being captured, Qiu attempted to obstruct the repatriation process and evade legal punishment. With coordination by the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, Qiu was eventually repatriated to China and will face legal punishment, the embassy said.

The embassy said Chinese police will continue to pursue criminals who target Chinese citizens overseas, and that it will firmly safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals in the Philippines.