Authorities from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and other law enforcement officers conducted a raid on a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga after obtaining a search warrant from a court in Central Luzon. The raid, which was initially planned earlier in the week but was postponed due to the withdrawal of the search warrant by a court in Malolos City, Bulacan, resumed on Friday night.
PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz stated that the raid was temporarily halted when the power was cut off in the compound of Lucky South 99. However, it resumed the following morning, with two buildings searched by PAOCC agents and Philippine National Police (PNP) operatives. Fortunately, they did not find any other victims of torture or torture devices in the two buildings.
Cruz announced that two individuals were rescued from the compound after being identified as victims of torture. Special Action Force (SAF) troopers responded to cries for help from one of the victims and discovered signs of torture on his body. Another Chinese man was found handcuffed to a bed frame with bruises on his body.
The facility in Porac is associated with a POGO firm that was previously shut down in Bamban, Tarlac. Evidence indicated that the incorporators of Lucky South 99 have connections to illegal activities linked to human trafficking at the Baofu compound. It was also revealed that another POGO hub of Lucky South 99 in Angeles City was raided and closed down in September 2022, resulting in the rescue of 42 foreigners who were allegedly victims of torture and other human rights abuses.
When questioned about the potential links between the Porac facility and suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who allegedly has ties to Zun Yuan Technology, PNP’s Col. Jean Fajardo refrained from confirming any connection. Fajardo emphasized that the focus should be on the connection with Lucky South 99 rather than speculating on Guo’s involvement.
