Philippine Northern Surigao del Norte Representative Robert "Ace" Barbers recently issued a stern warning about the Guo Congyuan kidnapping case that shocked the overseas Chinese community, stating that the money transfer paths revealed by the case are not just ordinary ransom extortion, but "a transnational money laundering network that is systematically eroding the Philippine financial system."
"This is no longer an isolated kidnapping incident, but a complex, structured international criminal organization that is turning the Philippines into a hub for laundering illegal funds," Barbers said. He pointed out that the ransom was transferred through multiple channels such as casino agents, electronic wallets, and cryptocurrencies, not only showing the foreign criminal groups' skilled manipulation of the Philippine shadow financial system but also hiding a national security threat.
Initial police investigations showed that the related ransom first flowed into gambling platforms operated by "Jiuding Group" and "Some Association", and was then quickly split into multiple electronic wallets registered under false identities, converted into cryptocurrencies, and transferred abroad, with the entire process being nearly untraceable. One of the involved accounts was even linked to a Chinese national who was arrested for espionage, triggering high alert for intelligence infiltration.
Barbers pointed out that criminal gangs are using technological tools and regulatory blind spots, such as virtual wallets, anonymous currencies, and fictitious name accounts, to create a highly covert money laundering network outside the system. He emphasized that in the face of this new form of financial crime, the legislative body must act quickly, in sync with the security reforms proposed by the Marcos administration, to tighten regulations on casinos, offshore gaming (POGO), and cryptocurrency platforms.
He also praised the command work of General Rommel Francisco Marbil, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, in this case, and noted that the police have made "breakthrough progress" in terms of the direction of funds flow and the money laundering chain.
"This battle is not only about combating financial crime but also concerns national sovereignty, public safety, and even the reputation of the Philippines in the international community," Barbers warned, "If the government cannot act swiftly and decisively, the Philippines may be seen as a haven by international criminal groups."
He called on Congress to immediately promote legislative reforms targeting gambling and virtual asset platforms and to strengthen inter-agency cooperation mechanisms to curb the expansion of overseas black money in the Philippines.
