'Dead' gambling ring leader surfaces

MANILA, Philippines - A Singaporean lawyer suspected of heading a gambling syndicate that has defrauded a government-run casino of up to P400 million, who was earlier reported to have died, has reportedly surfaced in Cagayan.

Information received by the House committee on games and amusement indicated that Loo Choon Beng, alias Ben Lui, is now operating at the Cagayan Export Processing Authority, where there are casinos.

Manila Rep. Amado Bagatsing, committee chairman, said his panel would verify the information.

He said his committee would also resume its inquiry into the gambling scam that has defrauded the airport casino run by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor).

Pagcor has admitted losing P160 million to the Ben Lui group. However, Cavite Rep. Elpidio Barzaga Jr., proponent of the inquiry, said Pagcor insiders have told him that the agency’s losses could reach P400 million.

Lui and three companions identified as Kit Mang Chiang, Qianghua Zheng and Chian Keok Hwa were arrested after they were caught cheating, with the use of sophisticated communication devices, at a baccarat table at Pagcor’s airport casino last May.

The four were charged with syndicated estafa before the Parañaque regional trial court. The charge did not allow them to post bail.

However, prosecutors of the Department of Justice (DOJ) downgraded the case to simple estafa and allowed them to post bail.

After gaining their freedom, the four fled the country, with Lui going to Macau where he reportedly died in August.

Barzaga said DOJ prosecutors and immigration officials should be summoned to the committee’s next hearing.

He said he could not understand why the crime of syndicated estafa, which was obviously the offense committed, was reduced to simple estafa, giving the suspects their freedom.

Worse, immigration personnel, who are also under the DOJ, allowed the suspects to flee, he said.

He added that the Ben Lui group must be so influential that they could flout the law and get away with it.