Philippine casinos sever ties to parties involved in kidnapping 

Two of the biggest casinos in the Philippines have severed their ties with a VIP Junket that was linked to the recent kidnapping of a steel magnate.

Okada Manila and Solaire in Manila’s Entertainment City, two of the most powerful gaming operations in the Philippines, have announced the end of their ties with junket runner 9 Dynasty Group.

9 Dynasty Group is being tied to the actions of the parties that kidnapped the businessman Congyuan Guo, also known as Anson Tan or Anson Que.

The Manila Times reported that 9 Dynasty Group and White Horse Club were complicit in the alleged laundering of PHP200 million ($3.6 million) intended to secure Que’s release.

The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) is also looking into the ransom that was paid to the kidnappers of Que and his driver, Armanie Pabillo.

Both men were last seen alive in Valenzuela City on 29 March, but on 8 April, their remains were found close to a wildlife sanctuary.

Three men were arrested and pictured by the Philippine National Police: David Tan Liao, Richard Tan Garcia, and Raymart Catequista. They are the suspects arrested in connection with the killing of Congyuan Guo and Armanie Pabillo, but the police are hunting two other suspects in the case.

“The AMLC is actively collaborating with the PNP [Philippine National Police] to gather evidence on the unlawful activities, tracing the ransom funds in all their forms, and pursuing forfeiture proceedings,” AMLC said.

The AMLC is also working with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) on the alleged use of e-wallets in the ransom saga.

The AMLC has been suspicious of these payment processes being used to process funds to shell accounts and convert cryptocurrency to obscure the money trail involved in the kidnapping.

9 Dynasty Group and White Horse will also be facing money laundering, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, and violation of e-commerce law charges from the authorities. Casino.org reported that Que’s kidnapping and eventual death were due to a $20 million online gambling deal that went sour.

Image: Pixlr Ai-Generated.

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