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2 casino junket groups got Que ransom—PNP PNP resurrecting probe T into PCSO official's slay FIVE LOCAL HOLIDAYS IN OCT. NEWS / A3
ISRAEL CONTINUES TO POUND HEZBOLLAH WORLD / A6
VOL. XXXVIII • NO. 227• 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 •
Police doubles reward to P10m for ‘co-mastermind’ By Vince Lopez
WO casino junket operators received the ransom money paid by the family of slain Filipino-Chinese steel magnate Congyuan Guo, also known as Anson Tan or Anson Que, the Philippine National Police said on Monday.
VOL. XXXIX • NO. 79 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P20 •TUESDAY, MAY 6, 2025 •
Speaker grateful for PMA Class '83 vote of confidence in Quad Comm
ransom money paid from By"The Rio N. Araja
March 31 to April 8, 2025 went through two junket operators, which are 9 DyHEand Philippine nasty Group White Horse Club," PNP spokesperson Brig.Police Gen. Jean FaNational
T
jardo said in a press briefing yesterday. Fajardo also announced the PNP doubled the reward to P10-million for information leading to the arrest of one of the suspects in the kidnap-slay case. She said the reward is offered for the capture of alleged co-mastermind
Wenli Gong, a Chinese national also known by the aliases Kelly Tan Lim, Bao Wenli, Axin, and Huang Yanling. "The reward has been increased to P10 million for anyone who can provide information leading to the swift capture or arrest of alias Kelly," she said.
The ransom money sent to the two casino junket operators, Fajardo said, was then transferred to several other accounts, with some ending in crypto wallets. The 9 Dynasty Group is led by Li Next page
(PNP) is reopening its investigation into the 2020 murder of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) board secretary Wesley Barayuga.
On Sunday, PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he ordered the reopening of the cold case after whistleblower Police Lt. Col. Santie Mendoza told the House Quad Committee that he helped carry out the killing at the behest of ex-PCSO general manager Royina Garma. Mendoza narrated before congressmen how Garma allegedly facilitated the PCSO official’s roadside assassination on July 30, 2020 by providing the necessary information about his schedule, details about his vehicle and the funding necessary to carry it out. The whistleblower also implicated incumbent National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo in the planning of the murder. Barayuga was a retired police general and lawyer who supposedly threatened to expose corruption within the PCSO shortly before he was shot dead in Mandaluyong City. Garma, herself an ex-police Lt. Source:allegedly PNP matrix Colonel, gained the top spot at the PCSO because of her inNext page
BAUTISTA
Speaker vows more support for 4PH housing
By Darwin Amojelar
TRANSPORTATION Secretary Jaime Bautista denied an online news report claiming that Malacañang was angry with the increase in airport fees without the approval of the Cabinet members. “The Bilyonaryo article is malicious and unfounded,” By Maricel V. Cruz Bautista said in a Viber message, referring to the HOUSEthat Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. website published the said story. Romualdez visited the Palayan City “Bilyonaryo is inconsistent,” he added. Township Housing Projectonline on Monday Bilyonaryo reported that to inspectand newly amenities “Bautista his completed long-time protege in nearly twoAirlines, and a half years after for its Philippine Undersecretary groundbreaking with President FerdiAviation and Airports Bobby Lim, are nand Jr. the storm after it was at theMarcos center of Accompanied by Department of Next page
NEWS / A2
OIL FIRMS ROLL BACK PRICES NEWS / A2 PAGASA
DRESS FOR COMFORT Gov’t readies OR DRESS FOR STYLE?
LIFE / C4 P1.48b aid as 'Comelec: Julian' strengthens DILG opinion to clarify Garcia suspension
THE government has readied P1.48 billion worth of aid for communities that may be hit hard by typhoon ‘Julian’ which PAGASA says could turn into a supertyphoon. As of 5:00 PM on Sunday, PAGASA raised Tropical Cyclone By Vito Barcelo, Wind Signal No. 3 Charles over Batanes and the northeastern portion of BaDantes and Maricel Cruz buyan Islands. “’Julian’ is forecast to continue THE Commission on Elections said it intensifying overDepartment the next of24-36 is waiting for the Intehours it moves towardstoBatanes rior andasLocal Government give its and/or Babuyan Islands. With the opinion on the suspension order against current trend in its intensification, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia. theComelec possibility of reaching chairman George super Gartyphoon category is not ruled out,” cia said the only automatic exemption PAGASA said on in its advisory.suspenfrom the ban preventive Meanwhile, National Disassions during the the 45-day campaign peter andtoManageriod Risk is if theReduction case is related Republic ment Council said that Act No. 3019, (NDRRMC) or the Anti-Graft and aCorrupt total Practices of 1.9 million family food Act. packs worth P1.48 billion, other “In the case of Governor Gwen, we food items worth P276(of million, and are not aware of nature the case),” non-food items worth P919 the poll chief said(NFIs) in a message to remillion were already prepared by porters. Next page the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). Some P171 million in standby fund is also available for utilization by the DSWD, including P123 million which can be allotted as Quick Response Fund (QRF) in the central office of the DSWD. In Batanes, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) advised residents to secure their roofs and install window shutters as Typhoon Julian is expected to make landfall By Charles Dantes,
Marcos orders DOTr to curb traffic mishaps A WEB OF CRIME? House leaders Aurelio Gonzales and David Suarez presented this matrix during the last QUAD Comm hearing which shows the operations of a criminal syndicate allegedly led by fugitive Michael Yang, then economic adviser of former President Rodrigo Duterte, that controlled the illegal activities of the POGOs and was involved in the drug trade and extrajudicial killings.
Yang's lawyer mocks probers amid heated inquiry THE legal counsel of Chinese businessman Tony Yang sought to disparage lawmakers’ conclusions about his client’s supposedly sketchy past and his alleged ties with Philippine Overseas Gaming Operators (POGOs) and even organized crime. Lawyer Raymond Fortun questioned the House Quad Committee’s its Lavin told theimpartiality Senate panel and that the ability to pin can Chinese IMSI catcher gathernational sensitiveYang data down for ay wrongdoing in a real and information like text messages, criminal court. and calls from momobile numbers, am very interested in how they bile“Iphones. [Quad Comm members] can prove He said the range of the IMSI is bethis criminal network in court. In tween 500 meters to 3 kilometers. Congress, lawmakers act as both Tak underwent inquest proceedprosecutor judge,” heofsaid. ings at theand Department Justice on Yang, who already admitted Wednesday. having a fake Philippine birth “[It was] confirmed by our technicertificate, is thethat brother Michael cal intelligence indeedof[the IMSI Yang, economic catcher] awaspresidential in full operation,” Lavin noted. “Around the time of the interjection, your honor, at around 1:30 on Tuesday last April 29, they informed us, our technical intelligence, that it
NBI wary that Chinese 'spy' stole DOTr’ s Bautista sensitive data before being caught says online news report‘unfounded' THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed during a Senate hearing yesterday that a suspected Chinese spy may have accessed around 5,000 mobile subscriber identities using an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) catcher. Last week, suspect Tak Hoi Lap was carrying the surveillance device onboard a rented Mitsubishi Xpander when he was collared by NBI agents. Sen. Francis Tolentino, who chairs the Special Committee on Philippine Maritime and Admiralty Zones, initiated the hearing after several Chinese nationals were caught allegedly spying on key Philippine government offices and military installations. NBI spokesperson Ferdinand
SUSTAIN FTAF REFORMS — PBBM
RANSOM MONEY TRAIL. Infographic presented by PNP Spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo yesterday showing who received adviser of former President Rodrigo of illegal drugs and illegal the activities ransom money paid by the family of kidnapped murder victim Anson Que. Duterte. Fortun, a lawyer who often finds himself at the center high-profile cases, apparently sought to mock congressmen, calling their probe “unacceptable.” However, House members argued ONE they did not come by their suspicions WITH about Yang recklessly. CEBU. On Friday, Senior Deputy Speaker President Aurelio FerdinandGonzales Jr. of Pampanga and Deputy R. Marcos Jr. Speaker David Suarez of brings anew Quezon presented a matrix showing the ‘Bagong Yang’s first appearance and his Pilipinas’ call ofactivities at the Quad subsequent transformation Comm hearing. and progress “We saw a pattern, and we tracked as he graces it the top of these corporations... thetoOne we stripped Cebu Party’s it of its layers , to get to the top rally and through it all, we have (1-Cebu) discovered yesterday in and identified at least two main actors or players in the issue Dumanjug,
associated with POGOs,” Suarez said in a mixture of Filipino and English. The solons explained how the matrix details Yang’s connections to other individuals involved in illicit activities, including the operations of illegal POGOs. Among the companies implicated are Brickhartz Technology Inc. and Xionwei Technology Co. Ltd., which are being linked to alleged kidnapping. The two firms supposedly have connections with the Baofu Compound in Bamban, Tarlac, which, in turn, can be directly traced to disgraced ex-mayor Alice Guo. During Friday’s Quad Comm hearing, lawmakers cited Tony Yang in contempt for “lying” to about his businesses and business partners. Next page
Cebu.
Darwin Amojelar, Next page Vince Lopez, Joel Zurbano and Rio N. Araja
PH lobbies UN for Security Council seat
PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. yesterday directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to "move decisively" to improve road safety following a recent spate of road accidents that have claimed at least 12 lives and injured 41 others in less than a week.on THE Philippine government Mr. Marcos Sunday publiclydescribed called forthe theincidents Unitas Nations "tragedies thattoshould have ed (UN) give it never a seat on Next page happened." the UN Security Council, highlighting the country’s strong record and dedication to upholding the rule of law. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Secretary Enrique Manalo in a speech delivered at the UN General Assembly in New York said the Philippines continues to emphasize the “importance of upholding the rule of law and the integrity of the multilateral system in the face of today’s global challenges.” Quoted by reports, Manalo also said: “The Philippines has consistently pursued peace, the sovereign equality of states, the rights and dignity of all persons.” He added that the country is also recognized as the “first Asian ReNext page
Navy spokes debunks China claim of military exercises in Scarborough shoal Next page
By Rex Espiritu
cent Trinidad told reporters that Manila troops did not monitor any such activity, adding that BeiTHE Philippine Navy debunked jing’s statement was meant only on Sunday the recent announcefor its internal audience. ment by China that it conducted “Our troops did not observe military exercises off Bajo de any exercise, we have to underMasinloc, also known as Scarborstand that sometimes, China is ough Shoal, in the West Philipdoing this for their internal audipine Sea (WPS). ence, right? For them not to look China reportedly made the anweak and embarrassed,” Trinidad nouncement coinciding with the said. fourth Multilateral Maritime CoTwo Chinese warships were operative Activity between the monitored at a distance ranging Philippines, Australia, Japan, 4PH . Speakerfrom Ferdinand G. Romualdez, eightMartin to 14 nautical miles. New TOWNSHIP Zealand, andPROJECT the United accompanied by Human Settlements Urban Development Secretary Jose Rizalino One of these went up to Acuzar, 1,000 States within Manila’s exclusive Palayan City Mayor Viandrei Nicole Cuevas, DHSUD Region III Director Julius Ervin Enciso yards at the MMCA site but eveneconomic zone City (EEZ) inBong the Cuevas, re- inspects yesterday completed amenities and former Palayan Mayor — tually went away. “It was not gional waters over the weekend. clubhouse, pool, park, basketball and tennis courts — of the Palayan City Township built threatening, just normal,” accordPhilippine Navy Pabahay Spokesperson under the Pambansang Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program of President Ferdinand for WPS Rear Admiral Roy VinNext page "Bongbong" R. Marcos Jr., in Barangay Atate, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.
Palace hits VP Sara for linking FL Liza to alleged drug-death in US By Charles Dantes
The Vice President cited a supposed US police report claiming cocaine was MALACAÑANG on Monday acfound in a hotel room where the First cused Vice President Sara Duterte of Lady was allegedly present when a spreading fake news after she alleged died ofa SM statement Castro flatly AWARD. Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executiveperson Committee Prime Holdings, thatwas First Lady Liza Marcos wasRetailers linked Association denied. honored by the Philippine (PRA) with its Outstanding to aFilipino drug-related incident the Retailers death President Awardinfor his visionary“She leadership retail development. is theinsource of fake news,” (FromStates. left to right): PRA Director and Director of SM Retail United Castro said.Jorge T. Mendiola, PRA Vice and President COO of Golden, “Do ABC, we Inc.really (The Penshoppe Group)these In a President Palace briefing, Castro and respondneed to believe Liu, SM Prime Holdings Chairman Executive Committee Hans T. Sy, ed Alice to VPT.Duterte’s recent remarks sug- of thekinds of stories coming from the Vice PRA President and Chairman of Quorum International, Inc. (Toby’s Sports) Roberto gesting that the Marcos administration President?” she added. S. Claudio, and PRA Director and President of Sportshouse Int’l. Leisure, Inc. and deflects scandals by targeting its politiproponent of PRA OFR President’s Award Mars C. Castro Chua said official records show Next page cal enemies.