The case of the kidnapping and murder of "Steel King" Kuo Cong-yuan in the Philippines continues to escalate. The police report stated that there are still two Chinese suspects at large, and for the first time confirmed that one of them is a female mastermind who was previously wanted by authorities. Although some suspects have been arrested, the overall case details have yet to be fully clarified, causing widespread attention and unease within the Filipino-Chinese community.

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Chinese "Steel King" brutally murdered after kidnapping; family paid 27 million pesos as ransom

According to a media briefing by Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Jean Fajardo on April 30, in this shocking business-related kidnapping-murder case, one male and one female suspect are still at large, both being Chinese citizens. Among them, the female suspect, Wenli Gong (translated name), is the main target of the police's manhunt. The police report stated that Gong has used multiple aliases, including "Huang Yanling" and "Kelly Tan Lin," with ever-changing identities and mysterious whereabouts, making her a key figure in the case.

▲Philippine police explain case progress. PhilDragon Web

According to investigations, Gong allegedly lured Kuo Cong-yuan under the pretense of purchasing property, then controlled him and used his phone to negotiate ransom with his family. Subsequently, Kuo and his driver were taken to a civilian house in Bulacan Province in central Philippines, where they were illegally detained and eventually died tragically. The police believe that Gong not only orchestrated and enticed the victims but also directly participated in the operation, demonstrating high organizational skills.

▲The woman surnamed Gong, wanted by Philippine police, is pointed out as a key figure in the case.

Currently, the Philippine police have issued a reward for the arrest of Gong, with a bounty of five million pesos, appealing to the public to provide leads. At the same time, the police confirmed that Gong was born in Hunan, China, in 1999, aged only 26. During a pursuit operation on April 25, law enforcement officers once tracked her down to the famous tourist destination Boracay Island and controlled what they believed to be Gong's parents and three children, but she managed to escape successfully. The police believe that she has not left the country yet.

The other fugitive suspect is Jonin Lim (translated name), reportedly seen at the civilian house where Kuo was detained. However, the police have yet to clarify his specific role in the case and are still investigating further.

In addition to these two individuals, the police have already apprehended three suspects involved in the case: including an unnamed Chinese man who surrendered to the police on April 19; the other two suspects are Filipinos and have also been charged with involvement in the case.

Although the police claim that the investigation is "progressing," the victim's family and the Filipino-Chinese community generally question the sluggishness of the police actions and the initial chaos in handling the situation. In an interview with the media, Kuo's relative Hong Yuhua publicly criticized the police investigation as "hasty" and questioned why no effective rescue efforts were initiated immediately after Kuo went missing.

▲Relative Hong Yuhua publicly criticizes the Philippine police investigation. PhilDragon Web

Kuo Cong-yuan is a well-known figure in the Filipino-Chinese business community, having long been active in the steel industry and known locally as the "Steel King."

On March 29 this year, Kuo was kidnapped in Bulacan Province. Despite paying a total of 210 million pesos (approximately 27 million RMB) in ransom over three times, he was killed, and his driver Armanie Parbio was also killed.

On the morning of April 9, their bodies were found in a roadside thicket in Rizal Province. Both bodies were placed in nylon bags, with their heads wrapped in tape. According to police disclosures, there were binding marks on their chests and arms, suggesting possible torture before death.

This brutal kidnapping case, even after ransom payment, has severely shocked the Chinese business community.

The case is still under investigation. The general public strongly urges the Philippine police to strengthen cooperation with Chinese authorities to quickly apprehend the fugitives, providing answers to the victim's family and establishing credibility in combating transnational crimes in Philippine society.

Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7499621130806821411/

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