Man accused of kidnap, murder of Chinese nationals in Philippines repatriated to China

FILE PHOTO: Shi Chunfang, a suspect involved in kidnapping and murder, was captured recently through cooperation between Chinese and Philippine law enforcement agencies. On Dec. 22, officers from both countries escorted Shi onto a plane for repatriation to China. - Chinese Embassy in the Philippines

BEIJING: Shi Chunfang, accused of kidnapping and murdering multiple Chinese nationals, was recently repatriated to China following close cooperation between law enforcement authorities in China and the Philippines.

In recent years, a criminal gang led by Shi had repeatedly targeted Chinese nationals in the Philippines, carrying out a series of heinous offences with severe consequences and a grave social impact, according to China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS).

The MPS dispatched a task force to the Philippines and worked with local authorities to successfully apprehend Shi. On Dec. 22, Philippine police handed Shi over to Chinese authorities, and Fujian provincial police officers escorted him back to China.

The MPS said that Chinese police will strengthen international cooperation to crack down on transnational crimes such as kidnapping, extortion, human trafficking, online gambling and fraud, in order to safeguard the personal safety and legal rights and interests of Chinese nationals abroad. - Xinhua