By Junex Doronio

MANILA — Amid the challenges of dismantling Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) despite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ban them immediately, was it a case of “Deus Ex Machina” that led to the discovery of POGO hubs in Lapu-Lapu City?

“Deus ex machina” refers to a plot device in which an unsolvable problem is abruptly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.

On Saturday, September 7, 2024, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio admitted they were surprised by the discovery of POGO hubs during a rescue operation at Tourist Garden Hotel Resort in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

Casio revealed that their mission was initially based on a request from the Indonesian Embassy after three Indonesians escaped from the POGO hub.

“We received a request from the Indonesian embassy regarding a July 21 escape of individuals being held at the hotel. The escapees reported that 13 more were still inside, so we proceeded with a rescue mission,” Casio explained.

He added, “What shocked us was the presence of three POGO farms inside the facility when we arrived.”

One of the arrested Chinese nationals, Shouqi Zhao, was identified as the “boss” of the suspected illegal POGO hub. Zhao was found with an ID indicating he was a consultant for Chinese Business Promotions under the Office of the Mayor.

However, in a social media post on Friday, September 6, Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan strongly denied Zhao’s affiliation, stating that the ID was fake.

A reliable source told Maharlika NuMedia that additional POGO hubs remain in Barangay Basak, where the mayor’s daughter serves as barangay chief, and in Barangay Mactan.

ia/mnm

MANILA – Senators have renewed their urgent call to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) following a raid on a POGO facility in Porac, Pampanga, where authorities discovered uniforms of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized the national security concerns posed by this discovery.

“The presence of PLA uniforms is a stark indication that POGOs are a significant threat to our national security. They not only provide a haven for criminal syndicates but also for entities intent on destabilizing and infiltrating our government and political institutions,” Gatchalian stated in a message to reporters.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros echoed these concerns, stating that the discovery of PLA uniforms supports intelligence reports suggesting a connection between POGOs and foreign intelligence networks. “The implications are deeply alarming. It’s evident that POGOs are exploiting our economic weaknesses, evolving into hubs for crime, and posing a substantial national security threat,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

Hontiveros also announced her intention to introduce a bill to repeal Republic Act No. 11590, which governs the taxation of POGOs. “I opposed that law, and now it’s time to completely dismantle it,” she added.

Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. expressed his support for any government measures aimed at curbing illegal POGO activities. “We support all efforts by the government to address these violations of our laws. The safety and welfare of our citizens must always come first,” Revilla said via Viber.

Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada noted that the presence of PLA uniforms suggests that the criminal activities associated with POGOs are extensive. “Authorities must thoroughly investigate the operations of the criminal syndicates linked to the POGO operator Lucky South Outsourcing Inc. to determine the purpose of these uniforms,” Estrada stressed.

Senator Grace Poe also criticized the vast scale of illegal POGO activities, which she described as “appalling and costly” for Filipinos. “The recently raided POGO hub in Porac is so extensive that authorities estimate it will take over a week to inspect the entire facility,” Poe pointed out. She highlighted the significant government resources required for such operations, including personnel costs, the care of rescued individuals, deportation expenses, and legal proceedings. “Banning POGOs would not only halt their illegal activities but also save government funds that could be redirected to social services,” Poe concluded.

Pampanga Police Chief Removed

In a related development, the head of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, Colonel Levy Basilio, has been relieved of his duties amid the ongoing investigation into the raid. Brigadier General Jose Hidalgo, director of the Central Luzon Police Regional Office, stated that Basilio’s removal would ensure an impartial investigation into the activities at the POGO facility in Porac. Colonel Jean Fajardo, the spokesperson for the Philippine National Police (PNP), confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Maylanie Castillo has been appointed as the new provincial director for administration.

(el Amigo/MNM)