Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos yesterday warned that illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators could fund candidates for the 2025 elections amid the discovery of POGO hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and in Porac, Pampanga as well as the alleged direct involvement of suspended Mayor Alice Guo in the questionable activities.
Police inspect one of 46 buildings at an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator hub in Porac, Pampanga yesterday. Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian conducted the ocular inspection, accompanied by members of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The DILG chief also said that the Office of the Ombudsman and Sangguniang Panlalawigan have the authority to suspend officials involved in illegal POGOs like the one “being done in Pampanga by Vice Gov. Pineda.” “We have a task force to check if it has a mayor’s permit or none as the statements are conflicting. Remember two years ago, I led the raid of Lucky South 99 in Angeles… so I was surprised how come it was the same company in Porac,” he said.Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, who conducted an ocular inspection at Lucky South 99 POGO hub with PAOCC officials, led by Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, said Bamban Mayor Guo may also have connections with the POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“Why were they able to build a facility where construction is prohibited? So, we can’t say now what the details of the links are, but it definitely has links to Bamban and Porac and other Pogo,” said the senator. “Because they are syndicates, they can set up a lot, we just can’t say now because it is still under investigation... the mastermind is in all the Pogo hubs.”
“Her participation in Baofu is quite clear, and connections between Baofu and Lucky South 99 are becoming more evident as we review more documents,” Casio said on Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon. Casio also reported on Zhang Jie, a manager of the POGO in Porac, who was intercepted at Davao International Airport while attempting to leave the country.
“We have issued warnings to police officers involved with POGOs, especially in areas like Bamban and Porac, where there are indications of possible police involvement,” Marbil said in Filipino during a press briefing at Camp Crame. He added that the PNP is also coordinating with Pagcor, the regulatory body for gaming, highlighting the need for inter-agency cooperation.
She added that integrated casinos employ over 20,000 Filipinos, helping provide livelihood opportunities to locals.
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