"Mayor POGO" Guo Huaping and 36 others are indicted for 87 counts of money laundering related to illegal online gambling operations.
Philippines Deputy Justice Minister Andres stated that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) formally filed this lawsuit at the Department of Justice on August 30.
Besides the dismissed town mayor Guo Huaping, the indictment list includes her sister Zhang Mier (also known as Sheila Guo), her business partner Cassandra Wang, Dennis Cunanan who conducted transactions for online gambling companies, and directors and shareholders of online gambling companies and related companies suspected of handling these 7 billion pesos of laundered money.
Andres said at a press conference: "As you know, bringing forward money laundering charges requires thorough research and investigation. That's why it's only now that we have been able to bring a money laundering case. There's been a lot of financial investigation behind this work."
Andres added: "Now that the Anti-Money Laundering Council has completed its work and in cooperation with the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies, we believe we have a strong and impeccable money laundering case."
Prosecutor Sanson from the Department of Justice's Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking stated that Guo Huaping is alleged to be the "mastermind" of the laundering scheme, as she reportedly "used multiple entities to facilitate the transfer of her funds."
Sanson said that this indictment is just the first in a series of planned lawsuits against the Guo family, Wang, and Cunanan.
The involvement of Cassandra Wang and Zhang Mier
When asked why Cassandra Wang was listed as a defendant, Sanson explained that the investigation found a connection between online gambling companies in Bangbangya Province's Baolizhen and Danlizhen Province's Bangbanzhen.
He said: "According to investigations by the NBI, AMLC, and PAOCC, the reason Cassandra Wang is involved in the money laundering case is that there is indeed evidence that the people involved in the online gambling parks in Bangbanzhen and Baolizhen are the same group."
The funds used to build the "Zunyuan" online gambling company in Bangbanzhen from 2019 to 2021 were allegedly from the profits of the "Lucky South 99" company in Baolizhen.
Meanwhile, the "conspiracy" principle was used to explain Zhang Mier's involvement.
Sanson said: "The AMLC's investigation shows that she is one of the founders of all the Guo family's companies, and these companies were involved in the laundering activities."
He said: "So, because we are applying the principle of conspiracy in this case, naturally, the entire family is included."
The asset freeze order for Guo Huaping has been extended to January next year
Yalpen, Deputy Director of the AMLC's Investigation and Enforcement Division, stated on August 30 that the asset freeze order for the dismissed town mayor Guo Huaping and two other related individuals will be extended until January 2025.
Yalpen said at a press conference at the Department of Justice: "Yes. The freeze order has been extended for up to six months, so it will be effective until next January."
Since Guo Huaping is suspected of involvement in the operation of illegal online gambling companies, the Court of Appeals had already issued a freeze order on her assets on July 10.
These assets include 90 bank accounts in 14 financial institutions, real estate, luxury cars, and a helicopter.
In addition, the AMLC, PAOCC, and NBI have also brought 87 money laundering-related charges against Guo Huaping and 36 others.
