Philippine casinos cut ties with junkets linked to kidnapping, murder
Philippine media reports that two of the country’s biggest casinos have severed their relationships with a VIP junket linked to the kidnapping of steel magnate Anson Que.
Okada Manila and Solaire in Manila’s Entertainment City reportedly will no longer do business with junket runner 9 Dynasty Group. Police have linked the junket to the abduction of Filipino-Chinese businessman Que, head of Elison Steel.
Que and his driver Armanie Pabillo were last seen alive in Valenzuela City on 29 March. On 8 April, their battered bodies were found along the road in Rizal near a wildlife sanctuary.
Junkets allegedly laundered ransom money
According to the Manila Times, “a highly reliable source” inside the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp said 9 Dynasty and another junket, White Horse Club, laundered PHP200 million ($3.6 million) in ransom paid for the businessman’s release.
Que’s family paid the money in pesos and US dollars. It was was later funnelled through casino e-wallets and converted to cryptocurrency.
“The investigation extends beyond the kidnappers who directed the ransom payment process,” said the Philippines Anti-Money Laundering Council on Monday. “It also targets casino players within these junket operations who initially received the ransom funds via their e-wallets.”
On 7 May, 9 Dynasty informed members it would withdraw completely from the market, citing “strategic adjustments” in global operations. White Horse Club has also reportedly shut down its Philippine operations.
Reminiscent of POGO abductions
The AMLC is working with the Philippine National Police, Pagcor and casino operators to investigate the crime. The Securities and Exchange Commission and Central Bank are also looking into the use of e-wallets with crypto-conversion capabilities.
“Through this ongoing investigation, the AMLC reaffirms its dedication to upholding financial integrity, supporting the immediate resolution of this case and ensuring that the Philippine financial system does not become a conduit for illicit activities,” the council said.
Investigators have compared the kidnapping and murders to offences committed during the POGO era. In July 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations following widespread reports of crime.
“Disguised as legitimate entities,” Marcos said, POGOs “ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture – even murder”.
Police have also considered the possibility that Que was involved in an illegal offshore gaming scheme that went wrong.
11 suspects nabbed at airport
On Friday, 11 suspects in the case were arrested at Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
As reported by the Philippine Inquirer, the men – nine foreigners and two Filipinos – were carrying millions in pesos and other currency, including US and Hong Kong dollars.
When questioned, they claimed it was casino winnings and produced a certificate including the notation “White Horse”.