Authorities have taken into custody another suspect in the human trafficking case tied to a Philippine offshore gaming operator compound in Pampanga, marking the third arrest among dozens of individuals facing charges connected to the operation.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said Tuesday that a 44-year-old Chinese national, identified by police as “Boss Terry,” was apprehended in Angeles City on Monday morning. Investigators described him as an administrative officer of the Lucky South 99 complex in Porac, alleging that he supervised the torture of Chinese workers accused of violations inside the facility.
The arrest was carried out by virtue of a warrant issued in May by the Angeles City Regional Trial Court Branch 118 for violations of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. The court order does not provide for bail.
The case involves former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and businesswoman Cassandra Ong, along with 49 other accused, all of whom are being pursued over alleged criminal acts linked to the POGO hub operating under the name Lucky South 99. Prior to the latest operation, police had arrested two other suspects in separate raids conducted in Mabalacat City and Clark, also in May.
Roque, one of the named respondents in the case, left the Philippines in March and has since sought asylum in the Netherlands, saying he is facing political persecution.
Authorities have given differing accounts regarding Ong’s whereabouts. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has said she may have already traveled to China, while the Bureau of Immigration has stated that its records do not show any departure by Ong from the Philippines.
