Recto says $81-M heist 'made in China'
MANILA, Philippines – Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Thursday said that the masterminds of the $81-million money laundering scheme might be from China.
"This has all the makings of a made-in-China problem. Ang problemang ito nagmula sa labas, hindi sa Pilipinas," Recto said.
Recto added that the Philippines was also deceived by the perpetrators of the scheme as there might have been an "inside job" on the hacking at Bangladesh Central Bank.
The senator also noted that the wire transfer to the New York Federal Reserve was cleared, adding that the reserve din not conduct an investigation on the issue.
"Pati yung mga US banks na unang pinagpasahan ng pera, nagbigay ng go signal. Bakit nalusutan ang verification process?" the senator said.
Recto stressed that the accomplices involved in the banking heist were not even Filipino nationals.
"Kahit Chinese nationals ang involved, and I am not referring to Kim Wong, ni piyok sa Beijing wala tayong narinig. Lumapit lang ang isang bangka sa Panatag Shoal, nagtatatalak na sila," Recto said.
Casino junket operator Kim Wong recently turned over $4.63 million to the Anti-Money Laundering Council following his promise.
Wong testified before the Senate blue ribbon committee that he was not involved in the entry into the country of $81 million stolen from the Bangladesh bank account in the New York Federal Reserve.
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