Senator Alarmed Over Reported POGO Ties With Local Criminal Syndicates
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Senator Alarmed Over Reported POGO Ties With Local Criminal Syndicates. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed grave concern on Thursday upon discovering the reported collaboration between some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and local criminal syndicates.
His alarm stemmed from revelations shared by security and law enforcement agencies during a closed-door session held by the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality.
Disturbing Revelations
During the session, Gatchalian highlighted that intelligence agencies confirmed fears regarding the deepening connections between Chinese and local criminal groups. He recounted his reaction after the session, stating, “After the first part of the executive session, I was horrified because our intelligence agencies confirmed what we were afraid of, that the root of this POGO is getting deeper.
Deep, that is, their influence extends to politicians, enforcement agencies such as the police, the Bureau of Immigration, and thirdly, they mentioned that local criminal syndicates are already involved.”
Gatchalian emphasized the alarming nature of this situation, noting that foreign criminal syndicate money is now funding local criminal groups. “This is scary because money from foreign criminal syndicates is coming here, they’re funding local criminal syndicates, so, these bad elements are now joining forces,” he added.
Call for Action
In agreement with Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, Gatchalian urged the National Security Council to discuss their findings with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and recommend a total ban on POGO operations in the country. He warned, “What I fear is that it might reach a point where we can no longer control them, and they will be the ones controlling our government because there are people who are already in their payroll.”
Suspicious Raid in Porac, Pampanga
Gatchalian also raised suspicions regarding a recent raid on an alleged POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga. The raid resulted in the detention of over 100 foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals, following reports of scamming activities, torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking. However, the operation was expected to catch about 1,000 foreigners, suggesting a potential leak of information.
Dr. Winston John Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), admitted that someone might have tipped off the operators, leading to fewer arrests. Gatchalian commented on the situation, stating, “Apparently when the PAOCC filed a search warrant, someone tipped off the operators. So, my hunch here is not only enforcement agencies, but they already have people in the judiciary.”
Expanding Criminal Influence
Gatchalian further noted that these criminal elements are adept at expanding their networks, indicating that they already have informants within key institutions. “They also know the moves to expand their network, and this is proof that they already have people in places to tip them off,” he added.
Conclusion
The senator’s revelations underscore the urgent need for decisive action against the growing influence of POGO operations linked with criminal syndicates.
The potential infiltration of government institutions by these groups poses a severe threat to national security and public safety, necessitating immediate and robust measures to curb their activities and protect the integrity of the country’s governance systems.