THE House Quad Committee investigating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) has uncovered that Duanren Wu, the top executive at Whirlwind Corporation, is a former Chinese police officer.
This information surfaced during testimony from Katherine Cassandra Li Ong, a key witness in the probe being conducted by the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights and Public Accounts.
Ong, who is Wu’s goddaughter, confirmed that her boss previously worked for the Chinese government before venturing into business.
“Ang alam ko lang po is nagtatrabaho siya sa government agency noon, tapos nag-resign na po after,” Ong said in response to questioning by Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the committee on dangerous drugs.
“Simpleng police lang po siya, pero again, nag-resign na rin po siya,” she added.
Ong also admitted to knowing Mr. Cheng, owner of Lucky South 99, an illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, that was raided by authorities in June.
“Basta ang alam ko po ang may-ari ng Lucky South, si Mr. Cheng. I’m gonna give you his full details once na ma-call ko po ‘yung mga tao,” she said.
Barbers raised concerns about possible illegal activities involving Ong’s business partners.
“Hindi kaya galing sa drugs ang negosyo no’ng mga partner mo, ‘yong mga kasyosyo mo?” Barbers asked.
Ong firmly denied the allegation, replying, “Sigurado po ako, hindi po.”
Barbers also questioned potential money laundering activities, asking, “Hindi kaya ito ay nilo-launder lang, money laundering dito sa Pilipinas, ‘yong perang galing sa mga illegal na source?”
Ong once again denied any involvement, stating, “If you’re gonna ask me po, hindi po.”
Barbers later revealed that Wu, described by Ong as close to her when he visits the Philippines, has a negative record as a former police officer in China.
“Alam mo ba na may mga record siya, sa pagiging pulis… maraming negative na record siya doon sa China,” Barbers told Ong, who responded that she was unaware of such information.
Ong remains under House custody as the investigation continues.
