The Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Philippines reported that a Chinese couple suspected of providing substantial funds to illegal offshore gaming operators (POGO) have been arrested in the Philippines and China respectively.
According to police sources, the man, Wang Zhuoyu, was arrested in an apartment in Pasay City by the BI's fugitive search team, while his wife was arrested in Beijing, though her identity has not yet been disclosed.
Rendel Sy, the acting head of the BI's fugitive search team, revealed in an interview with ABS-CBN that Wang Zhuoyu and his wife are suspected of being involved in multiple money laundering schemes in the Philippines and are linked to various criminal activities.
"According to the investigation report from the Chinese police, Wang Zhuoyu is a wanted criminal in China. His gang is suspected of facilitating illegal financial flows for Philippine offshore gaming operators," Sy disclosed.
The investigation found that the transactions involved by Wang Zhuoyu amounted to 19 million yuan, with 23 victims confirmed. Additionally, the couple is also accused of being involved in criminal cases within the Philippines involving more than 3 million yuan.
Despite the serious allegations, Wang Zhuoyu insists on his innocence, stating that he was sleeping at home at the time of his arrest.
On the other hand, the Philippine National Police (PNP) announced yesterday the reinstatement of Colonel Elmer Ragay as the head of the Anti-Money Laundering Squad (formerly the Anti-Kidnapping Group), after he was removed from his position on February 28 due to an administrative order.
The investigation into Wang Zhuoyu and his wife is still ongoing, with law enforcement agencies in the Philippines and China continuing to collaborate on the case.
