MANILA— Joint law enforcement operatives arrested a Chinese national wanted for qualified trafficking in persons in connection with the operations of the Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga, authorities said.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and other law enforcement agencies, arrested the suspect, identified only as “Huang,” outside his residence in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City, at around 12:30 a.m. on October 9, 2026.

Authorities said Huang was arrested on the strength of a non-bailable warrant issued by the Regional Trial Court Branch 118 in Angeles City, Pampanga, on May 8, 2025. He faces a charge of qualified trafficking in persons under Section 4(l), in relation to Section 6(c), of Republic Act No. 9208, as amended.

According to the CIDG, Huang is the fourth of 51 individuals indicted in the trafficking case linked to the operations of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., which operated at Grand Palazzo Royals along Fil-Am Friendship Highway in Barangay Cutcut, Porac.

The CIDG Anti-Organized Crime Unit filed the complaint against the 51 accused on June 7, 2024.

Investigators alleged that Huang played a key role in facilitating and providing logistical support for the operations of the illegal POGO hub. Authorities also linked the case to alleged connections between the Porac facility and gaming operations associated with former Bamban, Tarlac, mayor Alice Guo.

Previous arrests in the case included “Marlon,” identified as a security agency operations officer, who was apprehended in Mabalacat City on May 22, 2025, and “Mariano,” a security guard assigned to the facility, who was arrested in Clark, Pampanga, on May 29, 2025.

Another accused, identified as “Boss Terry,” an administrative officer of Lucky South 99 who was allegedly involved in torturing Chinese POGO employees, was arrested on December 29, 2025, according to the CIDG.

The latest arrest was carried out by tracker teams from the CIDG National Capital Region Field Unit, with support from the PAOCC, the Philippine Army’s Military Intelligence Group and local police units.

The CIDG said the operation forms part of the government’s campaign against illegal POGO operations and organized crime.

Executive Order No. 74, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., ordered the ban on POGOs, Internet Gaming Licensees and their auxiliary service providers, citing concerns over national security and public order.

The CIDG said it would continue coordinating with partner agencies to locate and arrest the remaining accused in the trafficking case. (CIDG Press Release)