By Brian Jules Campued
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga is probably the most brutal, the most violent, and largest POGO hub that he, the PNP, and the PAOCC have seen.
Gatchalian made the remark following an ocular inspection at the raided POGO hub with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Monday.
“Sa tatlong POGO hub na nabisita namin, ito na yata ang pinaka-brutal, pinakabayolente, at pinakamalaking POGO hub na nabisita namin,” the senator said.
The recently concluded search operation of the POGO hub yielded Chinese military uniforms, torture equipment, luxury cars, and scam paraphernalia, among others. Authorities also discovered several rooms used for the alleged scam operations of the POGO, entertainment and karaoke rooms, as well as “VIP” rooms.
For Gatchalian, he does not agree with the claims that the Chinese military uniforms were mere props, stressing that they are authentic.
“Para sa akin authentic siya, at dala-dala ito ng mga operators dito. So makikita natin na itong mga POGO hub na ganito meron ding mga scalawag sa China military [at] police [na] pumupunta dito… Sila siguro ‘yong malalakas ang loob [na] mang-torture,” he said.
“Narinig ko kasi sinasabi na mukhang props o pambato ito. Hindi pambata ito, pangmatanda ito,” the solon added.
Meanwhile, PAOCC said it is studying options on how the government would use raided POGO hubs, one of which is turning these spaces into schools.
“They’re now being used ng DSWD doon sa mga nare-rescue; ang alam ko tatlong palapag po ginagamit sa mga nare-rescue nila,” PAOCC Usec. Gilbert Cruz said.
Based on information, Cruz added, suspended Mayor Alice Guo has connections to both POGO hubs in Porac and in Bamban, Tarlac but investigations are still ongoing about the issue.
Last week, PAOCC and the PNP – Crime Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed a complaint against Guo and others for alleged human trafficking in connection with the raided POGO hub in Bamban.
During an interview with Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon on Monday, PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio said more charges will be filed against Guo over her supposed connection to the raided POGO hub in Porac.
“Mayroon pa pong mga karagdagang kaso kaming inaayos ngayong linggo, siguro up until next week. Kapag nabuo na po namin iyong mga documentary requirement—the complaint affidavit and all—isasampa na rin po namin sa DOJ (Department of Justice) – Main iyong kaso,” he added.
Casio said that Guo’s connection to the operation of the two illegal POGOs is now becoming clearer due to her digital footprint and paper trail.
“’Yong mga dokumentong nakuha natin sa PAGCOR at ilang nakuha natin with regards to Baofu Land Development, ay mukhang mapapasubalian namin iyong kaniyang sinasabi na ang kaniyang partisipasyon lamang ay tungkol sa lupa. Maging sa ilang operasyon, nandoon din ang kaniyang print,” he said.
“Lumalabas na itong isa[ng] mayora ay isang primary enabler, her participation in Baofu is quite clear, at saka itong link ng Baofu at mga personalidad ng Baofu dito sa Lucky South 99 ay lumilinaw habang dumadami ang mga dokumentong nababasa namin,” he added. (with report from Daniel Manalastas/PTV News)
– iro
