The Philippine National Police (PNP) officially stated on May 2 (Friday) that the mastermind behind the kidnapping and murder of Guo Congyuan has been identified as Yang Jianmin (David Tan Liao) and Gong Wenli (Kelly Tan Lim, also known as Bao Wenli, Kelly Chen Lin, Axin, Huang Yanling), with another suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, also listed as a core planner.
PNP Director Rommel Francisco Marbil said in an interview: "Yang Jianmin has been locked down as the mastermind of the case, and his accomplice Gong Wenli is still at large, with a reward of 5 million pesos for her capture." He added that another suspect is being pursued, with their identity not yet disclosed. The police also emphasized: "Gong is involved in the crime as an accomplice. We are further investigating their motives, and it is certain that these individuals are the core figures involved in the case."
Regarding whether there are higher-level figures behind this case, Marbil pointed out that the suspects in custody are part of an organized crime group, "Gong Wenli and Yang Jianmin are just part of it, and we must completely destroy the entire criminal network." He also stated that some identities are not disclosed yet due to the ongoing investigation.
Currently, the police have confirmed five individuals involved in the case: besides the detained Yang Jianmin, Ricardo Austria, and Reymart Catequista, two others are on the run, including Gong Wenli and Jonin Lin. The police noted that Gong Wenli is suspected of luring Guo Congyuan and his driver to an apartment in Bulacan Province to carry out the kidnapping and demanded a huge ransom from the Guo family.
Additionally, the police interrogated two Chinese nationals on Boracay Island suspected of being associated with Gong Wenli.
The police investigation found that the 200 million pesos ransom was collected in installments through several casino intermediaries and eventually converted into cryptocurrency, with five people handling the funds, two of whom have been arrested. Regarding the casinos and intermediary companies that assisted in transferring the ransom, the Philippine police stated that they are considering legal actions against the relevant units and individuals.
