A Chinese national tagged as the “godfather” of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was finally arrested in an operation in Biñan City, Laguna Thursday, October 10.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, identified the suspect as Lyu Dong, alias “Boss Boga,” “Xiaolong,” “A Pao,” and “Hao Hao,” who was arrested by joint PAOCC and Bureau of Immigration personnel inside an exclusive subdivision in Barangay San Francisco.
The operation was launched following intense surveillance on the part of the NBI, before he was apprehended in a gathering along with several Chinese companions – all said to be prominent POGO leaders – and bodyguards.
“Eto yung puwede nating sabihing kingpin ng mga POGO dito sa atin kasi 2016 pa dumating dito yan. Simula noon nagtayo na siya ng mga POGO diyan sa may Region 3, Region 1, sa Region 4 at dito sa Metro Manila. Marami siyang itinayong mga POGO at tinitingnan natin yung involvement niya,” Cruz told media.
Cruz said the Chinese national’s name surfaced during the investigation into Lucky South 99, the POGO hub raided in Pampanga in June for alleged involvement in human trafficking and scams.
“We filed charges against Lyu Dong because when we applied for a search warrant, he was among those named in the Porac POGO, Lucky South 99. We have been hunting him for almost eight months," he added.
Cruz said the elusive suspect is also allegedly operating a POGO in Biñan City.
"Kapag hinahanap nga namin ito, gumagamit din ito ng chopper. Nahihirapan kaming sundan itong si Lyu Dong,” he added.
Cruz said also arrested during the operations were 13 foreign nationals and nine Filipinos believed to be linked to the Porac POGO.
He said Lyu Dong’s foreign companions would be asked to provide documentation.
They will be subjected to investigation by the BI if they fail to provide proof that they are legally staying in the Philippines.
(With report from PNA/OpinYon News Team)
Photo courtesy: PNA
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