BARBERS SLAMS WELL-FUNDED TROLL CAMPAIGN BACKED BY DRUG SYNDICATES, POGOS TO DERAIL QUAD COMM PROBE

By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The lead chair of the House Quad Committee on Wednesday (27 November 2024) denounced what he described as a well-funded and orchestrated troll campaign allegedly bankrolled by illegal drug syndicates and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to undermine its ongoing investigation.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace 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 bayad ng POGO at drug money, sa mga miyembro at mga taong tumetestigo rito,” Surigao del Norte Second District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said in his opening statement during the committee’s 12th hearing.

“Katakataka 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 iligal na droga at POGO,” he added.

Barbers, who also chairs the Committee on Dangerous Drugs, lamented attempts to tarnish the reputation of the Quad Comm, which he said was committed to uncovering the truth.

“Pilit pong sinisira ang imahe ng ating Quad Comm na walang ibang layunin kundi ipalabas lamang ang katotohanan,” he said. “Kung kaya hinihikayat namin ang ating mga kababayan na humarap, magsalita at magbigay ng kanilang impormasyon na may kinalaman sa usaping tinatalakay namin dito.”

The Quad Comm has uncovered evidence linking the illegal drug trade to POGO operations, revealing how drug money is funneled through these gaming businesses.

Barbers cited testimonies from earlier hearings that implicated high-ranking officials in the smuggling of large volumes of illegal drugs through Philippine ports.

He added that the proceeds of the drug trade were being used to corrupt government officials, acquire land and provide protection and fake identities to foreign nationals involved in these operations.

“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.

The committee has also filed several legislative measures to address systemic vulnerabilities exposed during its investigation.

These include a proposal to cancel fraudulent birth registrations by foreigners, the forfeiture of lands illegally acquired by non-Filipinos, and a nationwide ban on POGOs.

These measures are essential to dismantling the networks of corruption and crime revealed in the hearings.

Despite these efforts, Barbers noted that the committee continues to face resistance from those implicated, as he accused trolls of being a tool for these 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,” he said.

Barbers assured the public that the Quad Comm remains resolute in its mission despite efforts to discredit it.

“Subalit nais naming kayong garantyahan 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 said.

The Quad Comm, formed through a resolution authored by Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., has been instrumental in exposing the interconnected schemes of illegal drugs, POGOs and corruption.

The hearings have shed light on the scale of these operations, with Barbers promising to pursue justice and the truth relentlessly.

ia/mnm