GLOBALTECH, operator of Peryahan ng Bayan, has filed criminal charges for grave coercion and alarm and scandal against an official of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), for closing its gaming station located at Burgos-Lacson Streets in Bacolod City on Monday.
In a press conference Thursday, April 19, at the Grand Regal Hotel, Globaltech Provincial Administrative Officer Lito Estember said they filed the charges against retired Marine Major Manuel Fraginal, chief of the PCSO Nationwide Inter-Branch Security Monitoring, on Wednesday at the City Prosecutor's Office.
He said they spared the members of the Bacolod City Police Office from any charges because their presence in the area was just to maintain peace and order.
PCSO team headed by Fraginal placed the “notice of closure” tarpaulin in front of the establishment, but minutes after the PCSO's team left the area, the personnel of Globaltech removed the said tarpaulin and continue with their operation.
Estember said Fraginal has no authority for his actions because he has no court order and lacks the valid documents to impose such closure of the gaming station.
He also stands firm that Globaltech's operation of “Peryahan ng Bayan,” which is not only in Bacolod City but also in some other places in the country, is legal because of the unresolved court cases of the PCSO against their company.
At present, Globaltech continues to operate “Peryahan ng Bayan” in different parts of the country, Estember said.
“I don't believe the closure order came from PCSO because the case is still ongoing with the Court of Appeals,” Estember pointed out.
Earlier, Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said the City Council did not grant a resolution of no objection (Rono) to Globaltech.
He said when operating the betting station, they should seek a Rono and it's a requirement to secure a business permit based on the city's ordinance.
He added Globaltech should secure a business permit because they are operating here.
Fraginal is still waiting for the release of the court order to completely stop the operation of Globaltech.
He stressed that the operation of Globaltech is illegal because they do not have a permit from PCSO.
Globaltech started their operation in Bacolod in 2014. They transferred to Burgos-Lacson Streets on March 8 this year.