Pogo ‘kingpin’ arrested in Laguna – PAOCC chief
A “godfather” of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) is arrested in Laguna province. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) says on Friday, October 11, 2024, its agents arrested Lyu Dong in Biñan City on Thursday. Authorities said the suspect used many aliases, including one that means “boss of the boss.” INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — A “godfather” of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) was arrested in Laguna province.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) said Friday its agents arrested Lyu Dong in Biñan City on Thursday, October 10. Authorities said the suspect used many aliases, including one that means “boss of the boss.”
“Siya ‘yung pwede nating sabihing ‘kingpin’ ng mga Pogo sa atin. 2016 pa dumating dito ‘yan. Simula noon, nagtayo siya ng mga Pogo sa may Region 3, sa Region 1, sa Region 4, at dito sa Metro Manila. Marami siyang itinayong mga Pogo,” PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said on Unang Hirit on Friday morning.
(He is who we can say is the “kingpin” of the Pogos in our country. He came here in 2016. Since then, he’s set up Pogos in Region 3, Region 1, Region 4, and here in Metro Manila. He’s established many Pogos.)
According to the Paocc chief, Lyu Dong’s name was mentioned during the probe into Lucky South 99, a Pogo hub based in Porac town in Pampanga province.
Article continues after this advertisementLucky South 99 was raided and shuttered by law enforcers on June 4 on suspicion that it was involved in torture, human trafficking, and illegal scamming activities.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Marcos bans Pogo, cites ‘disorder’ it caused PH
On Lyu Dong’s connection to Alice Guo, the ousted mayor of Bamban town, Cruz added: “Baka ito ‘yung isa sa ayaw niyang banggitin kasi alam niya nandito pa ito. Ang madalas kasing binabanggit ni Alice sa mga hearing, ito ‘yung mga wala na dito sa atin, ‘yung mga nasa abroad.”
(Maybe he is one of the people that she doesn’t want to mention because she knows he’s still here. At the hearings, Alice usually only mentions those who are no longer in the country, those who’ve already gone abroad.)
Guo has been linked to a Pogo hub in Bamban, Tarlac, where 371 Filipinos and 497 foreigners were rescued during the March 13 raid over alleged human trafficking. Guo is currently detained in Pasig City, following her arrest in Indonesia where she fled in July amid ongoing investigations on Pogos and her purported involvement in their operations.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously ordered a Pogo ban nationwide.
