Executive Summary
- Authorities arrested “Boss Terry,” an administrative officer for the Lucky South 99 gaming hub, on human trafficking charges.
- The suspect claimed several of his 48 at-large co-accused have been detained in Thailand, Singapore, China, and Cambodia.
- The CIDG is coordinating with Interpol and immigration bureaus to verify the foreign arrests and execute warrants.
- High-profile co-accused, including a former presidential spokesperson, are believed to have fled the country.
Law enforcement officials in the Philippines are verifying reports that several fugitives linked to a major human trafficking case involving the Lucky South 99 offshore gaming operator have been detained in foreign jurisdictions. The inquiry follows the arrest of a key administrative officer, identified by authorities as “Boss Terry,” who was apprehended in Angeles City on Monday on human trafficking charges connected to the hub in Porac, Pampanga.
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in the National Capital Region, the arrested officer provided initial information during interrogation suggesting that some of his 48 at-large co-accused have been taken into custody in other nations. CIDG NCR Chief Colonel John Guiagui stated that the suspect identified Thailand, Singapore, China, and Cambodia as potential locations where these arrests may have occurred. Colonel Guiagui noted that these claims are currently subject to verification processes.
Investigators indicated that if the foreign arrests are confirmed, the CIDG will coordinate with the Bureau of Immigration and the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) to facilitate the service of arrest warrants issued by a Pampanga court. Colonel Guiagui explained that the fugitives might have fled to these specific countries due to existing knowledge of gaming operations in those regions following the government’s ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
In addition to the 48 suspects currently at large, the case involves high-profile figures, including former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and businesswoman Cassandra Ong, both of whom face human trafficking charges in connection with Lucky South 99. Roque reportedly traveled to the Netherlands in March to seek asylum, citing political persecution, while officials believe Ong may be in China.
International Law Enforcement Coordination
The potential detention of fugitives across multiple jurisdictions presents complex procedural challenges involving extradition treaties and international police cooperation. If verified, the repatriation of these individuals will require significant diplomatic and legal coordination between Philippine authorities and their counterparts in Southeast Asia and China. This development underscores the transnational nature of the alleged operations and the necessity for robust cross-border judicial mechanisms to address organized crime networks. It is important to note that all individuals named in the investigation, including those arrested and those at large, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
