MANILA, Philippines — Huang Ziyang, believed to be a central figure in the establishment of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in Pampanga and Tarlac, has fled to Hong Kong according to Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian.
“Nabalitaan namin na nasa Hong Kong siya ngayon. From Taiwan, kakalipad lang niya ng Hong Kong, so makikita natin na gumagalaw siya,” Gatchalian told reporters in a press conference on Thursday.
(We learned that he is now in Hong Kong. From Taiwan, he flew to Hong Kong so we can see that he’s actively moving.)
Citing documents found on raided Pogo facilities in Pampanga and Tarlac, Gatchalian said it is evident that Huang Ziyang is connected to these raided firms.
“Importante na ma-file natin yung case at tumakbo na ‘yung case para tumakbo na ‘yung formal warrant of arrest dito sa ating bansa at para ma-alert na natin ‘yung Interpol at malilimitahan na rin ‘yung kanyang galaw,” said the senator.
(It’s important that we file a case against him and that progress be made on this case in order for a formal warrant of arrest here in the Philippines be issued. With this, we can alert the Interpol to limit his movements.)
Gatchalian said it’s unclear whether or not Huang Ziyang is the “boss of all bosses of Pogos.”
The lawmaker, however, made it clear that this Chinese individual is already a top-ranking official involved in the proliferation of these hubs.
“So far, hindi ko pa siya masabi na siya yung pinaka big boss. But so far boss siya, so far nakikita namin involved siya sa tatlong Pogo hub na ‘yun. If you look at geography, magkakatabi lang ito eh, ang Porac, ang Fontana, at Bamban,” he said.
(So far, I cannot say if he is the big boss. But so far, he is a boss. We’ve seen that he is involved in the three Pogo hubs. If you look at geography, Porac, Fontana, and Bamban are just adjacent to each other.)