Chinese nationals in money laundering scheme may fund private armies, state enemies —Gordon

Senator Richard Gordon on Sunday expressed concern that Chinese nationals who are supposedly involved in a money laundering scheme could use the money they illegally bring into the country to fund private armies or even enemies of the state.

In a Dobol B sa News TV interview aired on GMA News TV, Gordon said based on information that reached him, at least 60 Chinese citizens managed to slip in cold cash amounting to millions of dollars into the country, which he said is already suspicious.

"May $3 million, may $4 million. Milyon ha, cash. At inaamin nila," he said.

"Dapat i-report ['yan]. Nagtataka ako, ang tagal-tagal nang nangyayari 'yun, walang umaaksyon sa AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council) dahil suspicious," he added.

Gordon said such huge sums of money could be used for anomalous purposes, ranging from funding state enemies, engaging in real estate, and even for gambling.

"Anong gagawin mo diyan? Puwede kang gumawa ng private army diyan, puwede kang magpondo ng Abu Sayyaf, puwede kang magpondo ng mga kalaban ng gobyerno, puwede kang magpondo ng sarili mong private army, puwede kang mag-engage ng real estate. Kaya nagkakaloko-loko ang real estate values ngayon," he said.

"Puwede kang magsugal at ang talagang pakay niyan, kunwari magsusugal ka, isasauli ngayon sa 'yo, nanalo ka. Tapos idedeposit mo sa bangko. Legal na 'yun ngayon. Puwede mo nang ipadala sa Hong Kong, i-tseke na lang," he added.

Gordon said that if such money indeed will not be used for illegal purposes, then it could have been brought in through bank transfer for transparency.

"Eto, dahil nakatimbre sila diyan, maaaring may nakatimbre sa higher authority, 'Huwag niyo nang i-report, ipapakita namin na deklara, para kapag pumutok, dineklara namin,'" he said.

Gordon said the Senate blue ribbon committee, which he chairs, will hold its own investigation into the matter once the Senate Committee on Women and Children, chaired by Senator Risa Hontiveros, finishes its probe on the similar subject.

"Kung tapos na siya, umpisahan ko naman 'yung sa... talagang lahat naman 'yan kasama, sa Labor, sa Immigration. Lahat 'yan dadaanan. Pero kami, ifo-focus muna natin sa money laundering at 'yung talagang pinasok na tayo ng mga nakaka-control ng mga tao natin sa Immigration," Gordon said.

"Hindi lang sa money laundering. Pati 'yung mga crimes and corruption," he added.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, in a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Sunday, said there is nothing wrong with foreigners bringing money into the country, so long as they declare it to the Bureau of Customs.

"Sa ating Anti-Money Laundering Law, kung aabot ng P5 milyon or $100,000 ay dapat i-report lalo na kung suspicious transaction. Dahil ang basic na prinsipyo sa Anti-Money Laundering Act 'yung tinatawag na KYC. Kailangan kilala mo ang iyong customer," he said.

"Kaya may mga identification card na kailangan bago ilipat sa casino. Kung mag-surrender kayo, bumili kayo ng chip, ang requirement ay tinatawag nating KYC or 'know your customer.' Kaya hindi dapat makalusot ito," he added.

Drilon also said casinos are obligated to report to the AMLC supposed cases of money laundering. —Erwin Colcol/KG, GMA News