Philippine authorities have identified eight suspected persons of interest linked to the abduction and murder of two business executives of Chinese origin in the northern Philippine province of Camarines Sur.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Public Information Office chief Colonel Jean Fajardo said July 9 that the Anti-Kidnapping Group, which is in charge of the case has the names of eight POIs – including those who fetched the victims at the airport as these are the last people to saw the victims alive.

According to PNP’s initial investigation, the two victims – a Chinese national Mr Xia and a Chinese-American -- arrived in the Philippines on June 20 to meet with people for a possible business venture. An unknown group fetched the victims upon their arrival

Fajardo said the group has the names of the persons of interest involved but they are not yet under custody. Five foreigners and three Filipinos were involved, according to the Philippine News Agency.

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Fajardo said the investigation is being conducted discreetly upon the request of the victims’ family and the Chinese Embassy in Manila, adding that they are also coordinating with their foreign counterparts to obtain more pieces of evidence on the case.

According to PNP’s initial investigation, the two victims – a Chinese national Mr Xia and a Chinese-American -- arrived in the Philippines on June 20 to meet with people for a possible business venture. An unknown group fetched the victims upon their arrival.

On June 21, the wife of one of the victims received demands for ransom asking for 5 million yuan ($688,000). The family negotiated with the kidnappers and agreed to send 3 million yuan. After sending the money, the families did not hear anything from the suspects again. Two days later, a lawyer of one of the victims reported the matter to Chinese authorities. The Chinese embassy in Manila coordinated with the PNP.

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Local residents found on June 24 two unidentified bodies wrapped in a blanket beside the cliff in the village of Patitinan in Camarines Sur. The police and family members of the victims went to the area to look at the body. After positively identifying the bodies, the family members allowed the remains of the deceased victims to be cremated at the local crematory.

Fajardo said that the family members are in China at the moment for the burial of the remains but she said that they will return to the Philippines so that they can file a case against the suspects. She said the AKG is also collating the evidence needed to be used against the POIs.

Fajardo said that the case is also being investigated in other countries as the victims have business dealings outside of China and the Philippines. She didn't identify the third country but said that the PNP is also coordinating with their counterparts overseas so that they can get evidence outside of the Philippine jurisdiction.

Contact the writer at prime@chinadailyapac.com