On the evening of April 9, seasoned Filipino media personality and columnist Ramon Tulfo posted on social media that a Chinese businessman, recently reported kidnapped, has unfortunately been killed, along with his driver. Their bodies were discovered by the police in a remote area of Rizal province, in a shocking scene.
Actually, "AT" is the English name of this tycoon, which will not be disclosed further. Additionally, this tycoon's surname is "Guo," and his full name will also not be disclosed, hereinafter referred to as "Mr. Guo."
Earlier today, it was reported that Mr. Guo was kidnapped on March 30, 2025, at a seafood restaurant in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Initially, the kidnappers demanded 1 billion pesos, but it was later reported that about 600 million pesos were paid for his safe release after negotiations.
According to collected data, Mr. Guo is the chairman of Elison's Steel Bars Marketing, Northstar World Steel Corporation, Pyramid Construction & Development Group Corporation, California Flour Mill Group Corp, Sahara Breeding Ltd., and Fortune Mansion Seafood Restaurant. His business spans multiple sectors, from steel trading to real estate development, from food processing to catering services, each step solid and steady.
Mr. Guo holds positions in various Filipino-Chinese business associations, hometown associations, and clan associations, and is also the honorary president of the Yongchun White Crane Fist Filial Piety Research Society, holding significant influence in both the new Chinese and Filipino-Chinese communities.
Moreover, Mr. Guo has always been passionate about charity, having donated over 20 million yuan to his hometown. In 2024, Mr. Guo was awarded the title of "Yongchun Philanthropist" by Yongchun County. Besides his hometown, Mr. Guo also tirelessly supports the Filipino-Chinese community's education, having donated multiple "Respect for Teachers and Emphasis on Education Awards" to the Filipino-Chinese school alliance.
It was revealed that in 1985, at the age of 28, Mr. Guo went to the Philippines alone, initially working in a steel mill, supporting his family on a meager salary. He lived frugally, wearing second-hand clothes and enduring the hardships of dependency, yet he never gave up and eventually succeeded in business, becoming a renowned business magnate.
Whether the kidnappers are the same notorious criminals mentioned earlier, "Baolong" Wang Danyu, is yet to be confirmed with more information.
Tulfo disclosed that the victims' family had paid two ransoms but still could not save their lives, making the case outrageous. He emphasized that despite the family's best efforts to comply with the criminals' demands, they were still brutally murdered.
"This case is a heavy blow to the Philippine National Police (PNP), a disgrace!" Tulfo harshly criticized in his post. He believes that the police failed to effectively grasp clues, allowing criminals to operate domestically, highlighting serious flaws in the security system.
Currently, authorities have not formally responded to Tulfo's revelations, but relevant departments have confirmed the discovery of two bodies and have initiated a criminal investigation. The background, motive, and identity of the suspects in the case are still under further verification.
This incident has once again triggered high concern in Philippine society about the frequent occurrence of kidnappings and the ineffectiveness of law enforcement. The public is calling on the government to strengthen the fight against organized crime and improve police efficiency in solving cases to prevent similar tragedies from recurring.
The Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the Chamber) and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry have expressed concern about this case and called on the government to quickly clarify the truth and ensure the safety of the business community.
Cecilio K. Pedro, who just stepped down as chairman of the Chamber, stated that although the kidnapped individual was not a member of the Chamber, he had close relationships with many members and had long been actively involved in various charitable and community affairs. Pedro emphasized: "No business person, big or small, should be a target of crime. This incident not only affects the victim but also shakes the entire business community's confidence."
Enunina Mangio, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also expressed concern about the incident. Although her organization has not yet received reports of similar cases from other members, she acknowledges that such kidnapping cases could adversely affect the investment image of the Philippines.
"Although such incidents are individual, if not handled properly, they can easily raise doubts about the security situation among foreign investors," Mangio stated. "If the frequency of kidnappings increases, it will severely impact foreign investors' confidence in the Philippine market."
She emphasized that although there is currently no data showing a surge in kidnapping cases, the government must be vigilant and take preventive measures, especially by strengthening patrols and surveillance in commercially prosperous areas.
The police are currently investigating the case, and the identity of the suspects or whether ransom demands have been received has not yet been announced. The signed business organizations have stated that they will continue to monitor the progress of the event and are willing to cooperate with law enforcement units to jointly maintain a stable business environment and public safety.
