Could the most recent arrest of POGO reveal a more widespread conspiracy?

 A "big fish" in the offshore gaming industry, which has since been shut down, was taken into custody by Philippine police last week.  It is the hope of the investigators that Lyu Dong will take them to other important figures, possibly officials from the government.

 Dong, who is also known as Lin Xunhan, was taken into custody by representatives of the Philippine military forces and immigration authorities on October 10th, close to Metro Manila.  The Chinese national has been referred to be a "kingpin" of the offshore gaming sector, which is plagued by criminally motivated activities.

 While posing as genuine licensees, certain Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) were, in reality, fronts for fraudulent activities that took place online.  Evidence of money laundering, kidnapping, forced labour, torture, and even murder was discovered during raids of POGOs in Rizal, Angeles City, Bamban, Porac, and other locations.

 A ban on the industry was issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22nd, and it went into effect immediately.  Additionally, he issued orders for the deportation of tens of thousands of workers from other countries. 

 According to reports, Dong constructed a "network of scam farms."
 Dong is referred to by the authorities as a long-time POGO head who "systematically built a network of scam farms" that passed themselves off as legitimate firms.  Winston Casio, who works for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), referred to him as one of the "major financiers and pioneers" in the sector.  He went on to say that the arrest of Dong might assist in bringing other people to justice.

 Casio stated that it is quite probable that he would be able to identify certain individuals, whether they be private individuals or even previous or present government officials, who may have provided assistance to him.  "He is a big fish," said the person.

 Alice Guo, a former mayor of Bamban, is rumoured to be the previous leader of the POGO, which has been linked to Dong.  It is believed that Guo, who was born in China, ran for office in 2022 under the guise of a Filipina who was born in the Philippines.  According to the allegations, she was using monies from China to finance the local POGO during this time.

 After the POGO was subjected to a raid and she was removed from her position as mayor, Guo fled the country.  After a month had passed, she was finally captured in Indonesia.  After returning to the Philippines, she is currently facing a number of allegations, some of which include deception, money laundering, and trafficking of human beings.

 Friends who are in influential positions
 The fact that Guo is connected to Dong, according to some, indicates that there is a vast network of conspirators.  It is possibly possible that Beijing is making an effort to penetrate Philippine private businesses and government institutions.  In her capacity as the leader of the inquiry committee for POGO, Senator Risa Hontiveros is of the opinion that Dong had "someone from the government protecting him."

 In a similar vein, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said that Guo must have had assistance from important friends when she managed to evade punishment.

 Some individuals working in or near the government may also have connections to criminal POGOs.  Additionally, it has been stated that Attorney Harry Roque, who was formerly the spokesperson for former President Rodrigo Duterte, worked as the attorney for the Porac POGO.  Additionally, Tony Yang, who is the brother of Michael Yang, who serves as Duterte's economic counsellor, has been connected to the Bamban organisation.

 The Philippines continue to be concerned about their national security.
 Additionally, Senator JV Ejercito expresses concern regarding the prospect that China will attempt to infiltrate the halls of power in the Philippines.  In the midst of tensions around territorial rights in the South China Sea, the POGO drama is currently being played out.

 When Ejercito made the observation, "If we are in a normal situation, we can take it easy," he said.  On the other hand, we are contending with China.  Invasion of our government system is something that we do not want to happen.  It is possible that they are planting their agents in order to have them run for elected officials.

 Gary Ador Dionisio, the dean of the Benilde School of Diplomacy and Governance, stated that Alice Guo "is the tip of the iceberg on how these POGOs weaken our security infrastructure." [Citation needed]