By Junex Doronio

MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has revealed that almost all the foreigners rescued in the illegal POGO hub in Lapu-lapu City, Cebu were former employees of the controversial Lucky South 99 in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.

On Wednesday (4 September 2024) evening, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said Wednesday evening that around two-thirds of the 169 rescued illegal POGO hub employees were from Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.

“‘Yung mga Pilipino na nakuha natin na administrative staff dito ay galing pa ng Bamban at Porac. Kinumpirma nila na kakilala nila si Alice Guo, at kinumpirma nila na — di ba ni-raid namin noong June 4 ‘yung Lucky South 99 — noong June 3 naka-receive na daw sila ng tip,” Casio disclosed in an interview on TeleRadyo Serbisyo.

He added: “Nakareceive na sila ng tip noong June 3 kaya nakaalis sila. Tapos noong June 8, lumipad sila mula sa Clark, Pampanga papunta na dito sa Lapu-lapu (City).”

Casio said out of the 169 arrested employees, one was under-aged and was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development DSWD) regional office in Cebu City.

ia/mnm

By Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Spokesperson Winston John Casio stated that some personnel have received death threats amid the ongoing investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs.

“Yes, we have received some threats. We believe these are just scare tactics, but nonetheless, we are always on the lookout,” Casio said when asked about the threats.

“We have to be careful, so to speak. It’s difficult,” he added.

PAOCC was involved in raid operations at some POGO hubs in the country, with Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz stating there are over 300 illegal POGO hubs nationwide.

Casio emphasized that PAOCC is a civilian agency and does not use weapons in conducting operations.

“We are a civilian agency, not an operating unit. We do not have armed personnel,” he clarified.

“The raids we conducted were mostly about coordination and case management to ensure that the cases are above board and properly filed against those behind these operations,” he added.

(el Amigo/mnm)