By Junex Doronio

LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Concerned residents called on Saturday for the House Quad Committee to invite Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan as a resource person following reports that a Chinese national, recently arrested as the alleged “boss” of an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub, was serving as a consultant for Chinese Business Promotions under the Office of the Mayor.

The residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals, told Maharlika NuMedia that it is time to end illegal activities that hinder economic growth and threaten peace and order in this highly urbanized city.

In a social media post on Friday (September 6, 2024), Chan strongly denied that the arrested individual, Zhao, was a consultant for Chinese Business Promotions, claiming the ID was fake.

“We do not have any record of hiring (Zhao) as a consultant. As I mentioned, we don’t issue IDs for consultants—only for local government employees in Lapu-Lapu City,” Chan stated.

Zhao was among 16 foreign nationals charged by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in connection with the POGO hub at the Tourist Garden Hotel Resort in Barangay Agus, which was raided on August 31. He was identified as the leader of the operation.

Further reports revealed that Zhao serves as the president of both the Tourist Garden Hotel and the “Lapu-Lapu City Chinese Guild.”

Residents noted that the mayor had long been acquainted with Zhao.

On September 19, 2019, Chan publicly thanked Zhao via Facebook for donating 22 computer units to the city’s e-Library, which provided students with internet access, Wi-Fi, and free printing services.

On February 13, 2020, Chan also expressed gratitude to the Lapu-Lapu City Chinese Guild for donating 18 computer units to the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and Pangan-an Elementary School on Olango Island.

Additionally, on November 28, 2020, Chan acknowledged the Tourist Garden Hotel, the Lapu-Lapu City Chinese Guild, and another business for donating four solar panels and three computer units to local schools.

Chan was also in attendance at the Spring Festival Gala Party for the Chinese New Year at the Tourist Garden Hotel on January 22, 2020.

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