LAPU-LAPU City Mayor Junard Chan has ended his investigation into the alleged operations of online gambling, more commonly known as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo), in his city, particularly in Barangay Agus.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, Chan said the issue is politically motivated and untrue.
“I have said before that there will be no tolerance for illegal activities in our city. If you engage in illegal acts, I am your number one enemy,” Chan said in Cebuano.
He then announced that the investigation into the alleged operations of Pogo in the city is now over.
Earlier, 169 foreign nationals were “rescued” on August 31 at the Tourist Garden Hotel compound for conducting illegal scam hubs within the premises.
A total of 16 foreign nationals and one Filipino identified as Zandrew Magdaluyo Cantarona were charged with seven counts of qualified trafficking in persons.
Chan assured that these individuals will receive the appropriate consequences under the law.
Politics
On Facebook, Chan said the issue was being used against him by political rivals especially with the 2025 elections underway.
In a previous report by SunStar Cebu, Chan noted that politics might be involved in the online circulation of a photo of Zhao Shouqi, one of the arrested foreign nationals, wearing a “consultant’s ID” from the Office of the City Mayor that was allegedly fake.
Chan said the image was manipulated as part of a smear campaign against him.
“We will know and everyone will understand why this is happening once the filing begins from Oct. 1 to Oct. 8… There’s nothing to fear because we know we did nothing wrong,” Chan said. / DPC