Philippine authorities are collaborating with Singaporean police to investigate the relationship between a Singaporean man, Zhang Jie, and former Philippine mayor Guo Huaping in a suspected money laundering case.
It is alleged that Zhang Jie assisted Guo Huaping in booking hotels in Batam Island, Indonesia, and provided help for her escape, possibly linked to a Chinese criminal group.
According to the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Zhang Jie was previously the president of an offshore gaming center in the Philippines and has been issued a warrant by the Philippine court.
On August 22 last year, PAOCC charged Zhang Jie with assisting Guo Huaping in money laundering transactions with a Chinese criminal group, involving illegal gambling activities.
In 2016, Indonesian police arrested Guo Huaping's sister Shiela Guo and her business partner, discovering that Zhang Jie had booked hotel rooms for them in Batam Island. At the time, the group was preparing to leave Batam Island and was ultimately arrested by law enforcement.
Guo Huaping fled the Philippines in July 2019 and was arrested in Indonesia on September 3, subsequently deported back to the Philippines to face human trafficking charges. Two associates linked to her, Zhang Ruijin and Lin Baoying, were also involved in the country's largest money laundering case.
PAOCC spokesperson Casio confirmed that Zhang Jie is the Singaporean suspect, who was the former president of the Philippine gaming center Lucky South 99. Casio added that Zhang Jie not only paid for the hotel expenses for the gang members but also assisted them in arranging their escape.
Philippine Senator Villanueva stated in an interview that Zhang Jie was not the actual beneficiary of the money laundering activities, but a subordinate of Wu Duanren. Wu Duanren is considered the mastermind behind the criminal group, suspected of leading a series of money laundering and violent activities.
The Singaporean police stated that they are closely cooperating with the Philippine authorities on this case to ensure that all suspected criminal activities are thoroughly investigated through legal means and that the suspects are subjected to legal sanctions.
