By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian announced on Sunday, July 7, 2024, that the Senate’s investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) will concentrate on the hub in Porac, Pampanga.
“We will focus on the Porac POGO hub because none of the owners came forward to explain,” Gatchalian said in a radio interview.
When asked about the nationality of those behind the POGOs in Porac, the senator stated that Chinese syndicates are involved.
“In the POGO hub we observed, there are Chinese syndicates behind it, foreign syndicates with Filipino partners. That’s the setup we found,” Gatchalian explained.
Meanwhile, the lawmaker mentioned that Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, who has alleged connections to POGOs, may be cited in contempt if she fails to attend the Senate hearing on July 10.
The Senate may issue a warrant of arrest against Guo.
“They will be cited in contempt and arrested. The Senate can issue an arrest warrant for violating the subpoena and being cited in contempt,” Gatchalian said, referring to Guo and her siblings.
(el Amigo/mnm)
