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Hontiveros: POGO ‘godfather’ may have received gov't officials' support

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Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://news-workbench-api.abs-cbn.com/api/upload-raw/20241012131044/f2d30728053e2df6e1302ea7c1af5f12f6bbaa45f60d6ae8298823b319c98ae1.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group officers seized equipment allegedly for an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operation in Las Pinas City in June 2023. ABS-CBN News/file" style="width:960px"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group officers seized equipment from an alleged illegal Philippine offshore gaming operation in Las Pinas City in June 2023. <em>ABS-CBN News/file</em></span></span></span></div><p>Senator Risa Hontiveros suspects that government officials may have backed the arrested POGO &quot;big boss”, Lin Xuhan a.k.a. Lyu Dong, in establishing his network in the Philippines.</p><p>In a statement, Hontiveros said that although she sees his arrest as a major victory, she cautioned authorities to remain vigilant.</p><p>“Sa dami ng mga in-operate na POGO hub ni Lyu Dong, hindi niya ito pwede nagawa ng walang kumanlong na kawani ng gobyerno. I hope that we can also identify the Filipino associates of Lyu Dong,” Hontiveros said.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/11/naarestong-godfather-ng-pogo-posibleng-kinatatakutan-ni-alice-guo-paocc-1449">Naarestong POGO &#x27;godfather&#x27; posibleng &#x27;kinatatakutan&#x27; ni Alice Guo: PAOCC</a></div><p>“There are bigger bosses out there. Dapat natin silang mahuli, at dapat silang managot sa kanilang mga krimen laban sa napakaraming inosenteng tao,” she added.</p><p>Senator Joel Villanueva also commended the efforts of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), highlighting the progress made in uncovering the existence of POGOs in the country.</p><p>“However, the job is not yet done. Given the extent of the workload that the PAOCC has been doing over the past few months, which involves POGO raids, there is a need to increase their budget and manpower,” Villanueva said in a statement.</p><p>“Hindi pa po tayo titigil hangga’t hindi po natin tuluyang napapalayas ang mga POGO sa bansa,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/10/exclusive-pogo-godfather-at-10-pogo-boss-arestado-2354">EXCLUSIVE: POGO &#x27;godfather&#x27; at 10 &#x27;boss&#x27; arestado sa Laguna</a></div><div><strong>POGO ‘KINGPIN’, 12 OTHERS UNDERGO INQUEST</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the 13 Chinese nationals, including Lyu Dong dubbed as the &quot;godfather&quot; of POGOs in the Philippines, have gone through inquest proceedings.</p><p>According to PAOCC chief Usec. Gilbert Cruz, Lin will remain in their custody, while the rest will be deported.</p><p>“Kasi nga part na siya ng iniimbestigahan natin sa Porac na pinapatakbo ni Cassie Li Ong. Kabit naman niyang Porac POGO hub sa Bamban POGO hub kay dating Mayor Alice Guo,” Cruz explained.</p><p>Apart from violations of immigration laws, Lin also faces charges of money laundering and qualified human trafficking.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/10/escudero-wants-to-summon-pnp-intelligence-group-for-believing-textbook-scammer-1410">Senate to finish POGO hearings, wants to investigate liability of PNP Intelligence Group</a></div><p>Evidence linking Lin with dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo is reportedly strong, following Lin’s former associate’s revelations.</p><p>“Kasi from the very start kasama na siya nung grupo. And as to the association ni Alice Guo and itong si Lyu Dong, siya nakakapagsabi. Malaking bagay kasi siya nagli-link e,” Cruz said.</p><p>But, Lin denies all the allegations against him.</p><p>“He doesn&#x27;t know who is Lyu Dong. He is not Lyu Dong, maybe they found the wrong person. He feel inside, very sad now,” his interpreter said.</p><p>“Sanay na siya eh. Alam naman natin na itong mga bosses na to they can acquire ‘yung mga fake identities. Ang akala niya siguro, maitatago niya ‘yung sarili niyang identity,” Cruz argued.</p><p>The other detained Filipinos are set to be released except the three alleged security and personal bodyguards of the POGO bosses.</p><p>One of them was discovered to be a former enlisted military personnel.</p><p>“Na-dismiss siya sa serbisyo and syempre gusto niya rin mabuhay that’s why he opted to join security provider. Sa AFP siya [galing], Cruz said.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yLysI1ZeCP8?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Senator Risa Hontiveros suspects that government officials may have backed up the arrested POGO "big boss”, Lin Xuhan a.k.a. Lyu Dong, in establishing his network in the Philippines.</p>

Senator Risa Hontiveros suspects that government officials may have backed up the arrested POGO "big boss”, Lin Xuhan a.k.a. Lyu Dong, in establishing his network in the Philippines.