The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed on Thursday (September 12) the identity of the so-called "mastermind" behind criminal activities within Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, Gilbert Cruz, the chairman of the commission, was asked if Huang Zhiyang, who was found with five passports during raids in Clark City and Pampanga province, was the illegal POGOs' "mastermind."
"Yes, yes," Cruz answered.
However, he did not confirm whether this person was the same individual who helped former Tarlac city Bamban town mayor Alice Guo escape the country.
"In any case, it's him who owns five passports," Cruz said.
Cruz mentioned that Huang Zhiyang had assisted Guo in booking hotel accommodations in Singapore.
"Huang Zhiyang is now in Singapore, you might have noticed, he is the one who helped Alice Guo with the hotel bookings," he said.
On Tuesday, Senator Jinggoy Estrada stated that Huang Zhiyang "very likely" was the foreigner Guo mentioned who helped her flee.
Estrada said he heard that this person was the "mastermind."
He also mentioned that Huang Zhiyang is currently believed to be in Taiwan.
Contact
Cruz was also asked if the Anti-Organized Crime Commission had received any contacts requesting the withdrawal of the Guo case.
According to Cruz, people had started reaching out to him even before the raid on the Bamban POGO center in March this year, which rescued over 800 people.
"In fact, sir, people had started contacting us even before the raid on the Bamban POGO center. This continued until the case was filed and she went into hiding," he said.
He mentioned that even some of his friends were approached.
Cruz said these people would approach subtly and then engage in casual conversation.
"Their approach is like making small talk, they come close to you and then bring up the matter, asking about the case, but when you feel how detailed their questions are, you understand their intentions," Cruz said.
"I told them not to talk to those people anymore because I know the purpose of their conversations," he added.
Burial Sites
Meanwhile, Cruz mentioned that witnesses have identified four alleged burial sites for foreigners near the raided POGO company Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga province.
"If true, we will cross-reference with the embassy's missing persons list," Cruz said.
On Wednesday (September 11), PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio stated that the commission would apply for a search warrant to investigate these sites.
