PNP links casino junket operators to businessman's kidnap-slay

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has identified two casino junket operators, Nine Dynasty Group and White Horse Club, as involved in the kidnapping and killing of Chinese businessman Anson Que.

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil stated that the P200 million ransom paid by the family was processed through these two entities before being converted to cryptocurrency and moved through various e-wallets and platforms, making it difficult to freeze.

The PNP is coordinating internationally, with a red notice issued against the individuals involved, and one foreign account holding approximately $79,800 has already been frozen.

The Nine Dynasty Group is reportedly owned by Li Duan Wang, also known as Mark Ong, whose bid for Filipino naturalization was vetoed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on April 11.

Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo were kidnapped in March, and their bodies were found in Montalban, Rizal, even after the ransom was paid.

PNP spokesperson P/BGen. Jean Fajardo stated that the junket operators' authority to operate and their junket agreements with two casinos will be revoked.

One of the accounts used to transfer the ransom has been traced to a Chinese national who had previously sent funds to another Chinese national recently arrested for espionage in the Philippines.