Senator Joel Villanueva expressed on Friday his belief that Duanren Wu, an alleged former Chinese police officer and incorporator of Whirlwind Corporation, is the “big boss” behind illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country. Wu’s company leased the property in Porac, Pampanga, where the Lucky South 99 compound—recently raided by authorities—was located.
Villanueva made this statement following a claim by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) that Huang Zhiyang is the “boss of all bosses” in illegal POGOs. Huang is a co-incorporator of dismissed mayor Alice Guo in Baofu Land Development, which leased land to another raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac. He is also a fugitive from China, discovered to possess five passports.
“I don’t think Huang Zhiyang is the true ‘big boss.’ In my opinion, it’s Duanren Wu who’s the real notorious figure,” Villanueva said, adding that Wu is feared by Guo and believed to be behind violent acts like torture and kidnappings associated with illegal POGOs.
Villanueva also pointed out that Wu, not Zhang Jie, is the beneficial owner of the Porac POGO hub. He claimed Zhang is merely Wu’s subordinate and tied to money laundering activities through Wu’s companies.
While Villanueva did not confirm whether Huang Zhiyang was the name Guo wrote during a Senate hearing, he noted that Huang played a key role in helping her flee the country. Guo previously admitted Huang suggested she escape.
Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros, and Jinggoy Estrada have also mentioned Wu, Zhang, and Huang as being involved in assisting Guo during her time in hiding.