Bamban, TARLAC – Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian, on Wednesday, April 24, reiterated their call to ban all Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) citing human trafficking, forced labor, and scamming activities has become part of its business model.
The two senators conducted an ocular inspection of the raided Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated at the Baofu compound in Barangay Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac which was swooped last March 13, 2024, by a team led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Hontiveros urged the Department of the Interior Local Government (DILG) to preventively suspend Mayor Alice Guo and other public officials involved in the POGO while the investigation of the case is ongoing.
The DILG has earlier created a Task Force “to probe the alleged involvement in illegal POGO operations by certain LGU officials of Bamban, Tarlac.”
The DILG Task Force is led by Atty. Benjamin Zabala Jr. with members Atty. Enrico Alday Jr., Atty. Ernest Godfrey Tejada, Atty. Mariel Jean Raneses, Atty. Ramon Nonito SA. Ayo Jr., and Engr. Richard Cruz.
Gatchalian said that “damning pieces of evidence” have linked them in the operation of the POGO facility which is being implicated in various criminal activities. “The mayor has a great influence in her place especially now that there is an ongoing investigation. A preventive suspension is best to avoid her possible influence on the investigation. That would also be great for her so she won’t be accused of influence. We want PAOCC to investigate properly,” Gatchalian said.
“Hiniling ko sa DILG na ilagay sa preventive suspension. Hindi lang si mayor, may ilan pang pinangalanan sa mga documents na nakita natin kanina sa public briefing. Dahil habang lumalabas yung findings ng PAOCC eh mga seryoso at mabibigat na tanong ang sasagutin nina mayor,” said Hontiveros.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio revealed to both senators of the various challenges during and after the raid operation. Casio said the coincidences from opening of vaults including the grinder operators allegedly attending a seminar, grinders that have gone missing, to the cutting of utility lines in the compound simply casted doubts on such instances.
Acetylene was used as a substitute to break open all 27 vaults where over P7 million in cold cash were seized by the authorities.
Other challenges identified include acquiring records and coordination in the area as POGOs have established facilities, networks, and connections.
The two senators were shocked to discover the buildings, amenities, and tunnels of the Baofu including the villas which are priced at P44 million in the current market.
Hontiveros said the raids conducted by authorities have become a revelation that POGOs give way to illicit activities and suspected crimes. Gatchalian acknowledged the possible bribery to run operations and said the compound gave an impression that the Chinese have an intention to stay for long.
“Because we have discovered that they have an underground tunnel, that means they are prepared for the raid. They have a place to run. These criminals are here to live permanently otherwise, why would you spend P44 million on one villa?” he said.
“They also know that if they get caught, they have that connection, they were able to penetrate our law enforcers. They are confident that they can arrange these with the authorities, they can get away whatever cases they will file against them,” Gatchalian added.
PAOCC have conducted a total of four POGO raid operations since May 2023. The three others are the Clark Sun Valley Hub in Clark Freeport, and the SA Rivendell and Smart Web Technology Corporation in Pasay City. The two senators have been pushing to ban all POGOs since 2023.
More Cases to Be Filed vs. Officers, Incorporators
Meanwhile, Casio said “additional cases” will be lodged against the officers and incorporators of the Zun Yuan Technology Inc., Baofu Land Realty, and Hong Sheng.
Casio said the charges against the officers and incorporators will be filed tentatively on May 13.
Casio said “these are all for criminal charges without prejudice to additional civil charges to be filed by the Office of the Solicitor General and administrative charges to be filed by the DILG.”
It can be recalled that the Bamban Sangguniang Bayan had approved the entry of Hong Sheng Gaming Technology Incorporated with an SB Resolution that includes a letter of no objection. Guo then applied for the Municipal Permit as a private citizen.
Hong Sheng operated in the same POGO compound but was shut down in February 2023 but a new POGO identified as Zun Yuan Technology Inc. appeared after only three months in the same location.
At least eight foreigners and one Filipino have been charged after the Sun Yuan raid. Casio also said summary deportation of the foreign workers currently housed at the Nasdake Detention Center in Pasay City will start on April 29 until May 10 when all the remaining Chinese nationals taken in government custody from the raids in Zun Yuan Technology Inc., Nasdake Smart Web, Sun Valley and SKK Rivendell would have been deported.
The schedule of deportations are as follows: 14 Malaysians with NBI clearances on April 29, 2 Indonesians and 54 Vietnamese with NBI clearances on April 29, and 175 Chinese with NBI clearances on April 30.