POGO 'big boss' arrested in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have arrested a Chinese national tagged as the "big boss" of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), netting what could be one of its biggest catches yet in its crackdown on illegal offshore gambling.

Lyu Dong was nabbed at a subdivision in Biñan, Laguna late Thursday, October 10, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). He was rounded up by operatives from the Bureau of Immigration and the military, who carried out the arrest based on a mission order. 

Described as the "kingpin of POGOs" by officials, Dong allegedly arrived in the Philippines in 2016 and went on to establish multiple POGO operations across Metro Manila, the Ilocos Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon.

Dong is also referred to as "Hao Hao," which PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said refers to the "boss of boss."

Cruz said authorities were surprised to discover nine firearms in the possession of the Filipino nationals who were arrested alongside Dong. 

"We were surprised to find that his Filipino associates were in possession of nine firearms. We are looking into why they had these guns... Are they legitimate bodyguards with authorization? We will investigate that," Cruz said in an interview with Radyo DZBB.

"Nakakapagtaka na malakas ang loob nitong taong to (It’s surprising how confident this person is)," he added.

Possible links to Alice Guo

Cruz also believes it is possible that Dong may be the individual that dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo is hesitant to name-drop in recent Senate hearings as the mastermind behind POGO operations in the country. 

"It's possible that [Dong] is a source of fear, or someone Guo is trying to cover up," he added.

Dong is currently detained at the PAOCC detention facility in Pasay City. 

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said in a separate radio interview that Dong had allegedly put a price tag on his and other authorities' heads following the government's closure of Lucky South 99 Corp., which operated an illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga that was raided in June. 

Lucky South 99 was ordered shut down by authorities in the same month based on allegations that it was involved in the torture and trafficking of Chinese nationals.

Lucky South 99's incorporators, including Cassandra Li Ong, were slapped with non-bailable trafficking cases in September.

Casio is also open to extracting leads from Dong about other POGO bosses operating in the country.

"We believe that he can provide sufficient information and evidence about who helped them establish [POGOs in the Philippines.] Who were the ones that sheltered them in the past? This could point to the coddlers," Casio added.