By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet

On Wednesday, House Quad-Committee chair and Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers pushed back on what he described to be a well-funded and orchestrated troll campaign allegedly bankrolled by illegal drug syndicates and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to undermine its ongoing investigation.

Barbers said the campaign was intended to discredit the credibility of the mega-panel and intimidate witnesses who have exposed significant connections between illegal drugs, corruption, and POGOs.

“Patuloy ang paninira ng mga trolls na bayád ng POGO at drug money sa mga miyembro at mga taong tumetestigo rito,” declared Barbers in his opening of the committee’s 12th hearing.

“Kataka-taka na napakalaki ng puhunan na umiikot sa mga trolls na halatang inaalagaan ng mga nasasaktan sa mga bagay na nauungkat sa mga pagdinig natin dito, kabilang na marahil ang mga malalaking pangalan na nagpoprotekta sa mga ilegal na droga at POGO,” he added.

The Quad-Comm chair also lamented attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Quad-Comm, which he said was committed to uncovering the truth, especially pieces of evidence linking the illegal drug trade to POGO operations and revealing how drug money is funneled through these gaming businesses.

Barbers, who also leads the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, cited testimonies from earlier hearings that implicated high-ranking officials in the smuggling of large volumes of illegal drugs through Philippine ports.

“The money flow from this drug trade is being used to acquire landholdings, influence, and corrupt government officials and employees who conspire with drug traders in offering protection and fake identities that undermine the security of our country,” Barbers pointed out.

“We were shown how the money was being laundered into the POGOs and used to fatten the wallets and pockets of the protectors in government,” he added.

Sealing loopholes to quell POGOs now in the cards

Meanwhile, the House panel has filed several legislative measures to address systemic vulnerabilities exposed during its investigation, including a proposal to cancel fraudulent birth registrations by foreigners, the forfeiture of lands illegally acquired by non-Filipinos, and a nationwide ban on POGOs. 

However, despite these efforts, Barbers noted that the committee continues to face resistance from those implicated, as he accused trolls of being used by powerful individuals to undermine the committee’s work. 

“Napakarami na pong nakita at nadiskubre dito sa Quad-Comm hearings. Sa kabila nito, pilit itong binabatikos at minamaliit ng mga natatamaan,” the Surigao del Norte representative explained.

“Subalit nais naming kayong garantiyahan na habang kami ay pinipilit na sirain, kami po ay hindi titigil sa pag-ungkat ng mga bagay upang makita at maisiwalat ang buong katotohanan,” he added. (with report from Mela Lesmoras/PTV News)

-iro