Staff Reporter :
Bangladesh ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes on Tuesday expressed disappointment at the difficulties in returning to Dhaka some $4.63 million surrendered by gambling operator Kam Sin Wong.
His disappointment came over the move by the Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to choke the handover of the fund, part of $81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank.
Senator Teofisto Guingona confirmed that the Bangladesh ambassador was definitely upset by the position taken by the AMLC that where there is no written consent from Wong, the money could not be immediately turned over to Dhaka.
Philippines Senators on Tuesday debated whether the alleged stolen funds recovered from the casino junket operator could be turned over to the government of Bangladesh without court’s order, according to the Philippines media report.
“The ambassador was made to understand, according to his account, that the money would be turned over on Wednesday so that they can send it onward to Bangladesh. But now, it turns out, the turnover was a turnover only for safekeeping,” Guingona said.
“The ambassador apparently has reported to his country that they are sending the money tomorrow [Wednesday],” Guingona said.
In the absence of a written consent, the AMLC explained the recourse would have to be a civil forfeiture litigation in court.
money would be turned over on Wednesday so that they can send it onward to Bangladesh. But now, it turns out, the turnover was a turnover only for safekeeping,” Guingona said. “The ambassador apparently has reported to his country that they are sending the money tomorrow [Wednesday],” Guingona said.
In the absence of a written consent, the AMLC explained the recourse would have to be a civil forfeiture litigation in court. “Well, this is very new to us, because earlier they told us to accept the money and that is why they called us to the AMLC office. Today, this, I cannot understand,” Gomes told journalists.
The money was dumped into the Philippines via RCBC deposit accounts at a Makati City branch before eventually being conveyed to the coffers of local casino operations.
Bangladesh ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes on Tuesday expressed disappointment at the difficulties in returning to Dhaka some $4.63 million surrendered by gambling operator Kam Sin Wong.
His disappointment came over the move by the Philippines’ Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to choke the handover of the fund, part of $81 million stolen from Bangladesh Bank.
Senator Teofisto Guingona confirmed that the Bangladesh ambassador was definitely upset by the position taken by the AMLC that where there is no written consent from Wong, the money could not be immediately turned over to Dhaka.
Philippines Senators on Tuesday debated whether the alleged stolen funds recovered from the casino junket operator could be turned over to the government of Bangladesh without court’s order, according to the Philippines media report.
“The ambassador was made to understand, according to his account, that the money would be turned over on Wednesday so that they can send it onward to Bangladesh. But now, it turns out, the turnover was a turnover only for safekeeping,” Guingona said.
“The ambassador apparently has reported to his country that they are sending the money tomorrow [Wednesday],” Guingona said.
In the absence of a written consent, the AMLC explained the recourse would have to be a civil forfeiture litigation in court.
money would be turned over on Wednesday so that they can send it onward to Bangladesh. But now, it turns out, the turnover was a turnover only for safekeeping,” Guingona said. “The ambassador apparently has reported to his country that they are sending the money tomorrow [Wednesday],” Guingona said.
In the absence of a written consent, the AMLC explained the recourse would have to be a civil forfeiture litigation in court. “Well, this is very new to us, because earlier they told us to accept the money and that is why they called us to the AMLC office. Today, this, I cannot understand,” Gomes told journalists.
The money was dumped into the Philippines via RCBC deposit accounts at a Makati City branch before eventually being conveyed to the coffers of local casino operations.
