PAOCC official confirms name of 'boss of all POGO bosses'

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday has confirmed the identity of the so-called "boss of all bosses" of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) engaged in criminal activities.

In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz was asked if Huang Zhiyang, who was found to have five passports in a raid in Clark, Pampanga, was the "boss of all bosses" of illegal POGOs.

"Opo, opo (yes, yes)," Cruz answered.

However, he did not confirm whether this was the individual who helped former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo escape from the country.

"Basta 'yun po 'yung may limang passport (he's the one with the five passports)," Cruz said.

Cruz said that Huang helped Guo to get hotel accommodations in Singapore.

"'Yung Huang Zhiyang, 'yan din po yung nasa Singapore, 'yan po 'yung—kung napansin niyo 'yung tumulong po kay Alice Guo para ma-accommodate siya sa isang hotel," he said.

(Huang Zhiyang is the one in Singapore. If you noticed, he's the one who helped Alice Guo book accommodations in a hotel.)

On Tuesday, Senator Jinggoy Estrada said Huang Zhiyang was "most probably" the foreigner that Guo identified as the one who helped her flee.

Estrada said he heard that the individual is the "boss of all the bosses."

He said Huang is now allegedly in Taiwan.

Feelers

Cruz was also asked if PAOCC had been approached to dismiss Guo's cases.

According to Cruz, individuals have been approaching him about this even before the raid last March on the POGO hub in Bamban, where over 800 individuals were rescued.

"Actually sir, nu'ng bago pa lang po raid-in 'yung Bamban POGO, may nagpaparamdam na po, mga lumalapit na nga po. Hanggang sa ma-file-an ng kaso, hanggang sa magtago siya," he said.

(Even before the raid in Bamban, some individuals had been approaching us. The same was happening until the cases were filed and until she went into hiding.)

He said some of his friends were even approached.

Cruz said the individuals would be subtle in their approach then engage in a casual conversation.

"Ang dating po parang kuwentuhan lang po na lalapit sa iyo tapos babanggitin, kakamustahin ang kaso, pero ramdam mo naman po 'yun kapag kumikiling sila sa ganyan," Cruz said.

(It's like a conversation where they would approach you and mention it, ask about the case, but you can feel that they want something.)

"Sinasabi ko sa kanila kako 'wag niyo na ulit kausapin 'yan kasi parang alam ko na kung anong patutunguhan 'yung nu'ng usapan niyong 'yan," he added.

(I would tell [my friends], don't talk to those individuals again because I know where that conversation is headed.)

Burial site

Meanwhile, Cruz said witnesses have pointed to four alleged burial sites of foreign nationals near the raided POGO firm Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga.

"Kung meron man, ia-ano po natin 'yan, ibabangga po natin 'yan sa listahan doon sa mga missing persons ng mga embassies," Cruz said.

(If ever it is true, we will check this with the missing persons from embassies.)

On Wednesday, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said the commission will apply for a warrant to look into the sites. — VDV, GMA Integrated News