đź“·PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz
HAD the government delayed addressing the concerns regarding the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) in the country, they would have probably established its own “republic,” according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
During a Senate hearing, PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz claimed that Chinese-run POGO hubs are not limited to scam farms, even as he hinted at a well-entrenched structure which include its own enforcement group from China, Filipino criminal fugitives and corrupt government officials as their conduits.
Aside from scam farms, Cruz claimed that illegal POGOs are also into kidnapping and killings to name a few.
“They’re now doing kidnappings, killings… hindi lang po scamming and ginagawa nila. They also have enforcers now dito sa atin,” Cruz said.
“Dati gumagamit pa sila ng mga Filipino counterparts but now what they’re doing is nag-iimport na sila ng mga retired military from their mother country (China). Some are retired policemen. Ito po ay nasa record natin na ang hinahabol namin sa ibang POGO hubs are retired military and policemen,” he added.
“And that will probably explain why we have the military and police uniforms sa mga POGO hubs na nire-raid natin.”
When asked who is behind the illegal POGO operations in the country, the PAOCC chief said that most – if not all, are fugitives forming part of a criminal syndicate from the country where they came from.
As to why illegal POGO proliferated, Cruz said: “Nakita nila ang Pilipinas as an ideal playground.”
“When I say playground… things they need to continue to operate their illegal activities are available like having a new identity. In fact, everytime we raid a POGO hub, laging may mga fugitives. Na may driver’s license, PhilHealth Cards, birth certs and passports.”
Another factor behind the influx of illegal POGOs in the country, he noted, is too much leniency accorded to the so-called foreign investors, aside from the fact that it’s easier for them to bribe people in the government.
“We’re thinking na naging puntahan tayo ng mga criminal elements because they can get what they want here and in case they run into trouble with the law… it’s quite hard to admit pero in most cases, naaayos nila yung problema nila dito.” (ANGEL F. JOSE)
