PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr. on Monday, July 10, 2023, expressed alarm over the involvement of fugitives in raids conducted in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) firms.
In a press conference in Camp Crame, Acorda said there is a possibility that these fugitives were using Pogo hubs to elude arrest.
He said they are in continuous coordination with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to address the entry of foreign fugitives in the country and that the PNP is strengthening the conduct of intelligence operations against these individuals.
“’Yung sinasabi mo kung talagang ito ang practice or modus operandi na ginagamit ng ating mga fugitives na ito to hide in this kind of (Pogo) hub, there is a possibility. So we are intensifying our efforts as far as ‘yung mga illegal operations of these kinds of business are concerned,” he added.
(What you are saying is that if this is really the practice or modus operandi used by our fugitives to hide in this kind of (Pogo) hub, there is a possibility. So we are intensifying our efforts as far as the illegal operations of these kinds of business are concerned.)
In May 2023, seven foreign fugitives were arrested during a raid in a Pogo hub in Clark, Pampanga.
Another seven fugitives, including four Chinese nationals and three Taiwanese, were arrested during the service of a search warrant in Xinchaung Network Technology Inc., a Pogo hub in Las Piñas City on June 27.
Over 1,200 foreigners were rescued during the Las Piñas raid.
The fugitives were facing charges such as fraud and illegal drugs in their countries. Process for their deportation is already ongoing.
PNP-Anti-Cybercrime Group Director Brigadier General Sidney Hernia said they are not discounting the possibility that more foreign fugitives are hiding in Pogo hubs.
He said they already asked to the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) to include them in the conduct of regular inspection in Pogo hubs.
Hernia said Pagcor is also crafting a policy in a bid to address the matter through their recommendations.
In a statement, Senator Win Gatchalian said the arrest of the fugitives in Xinchuang, an accredited Pogo provider, is another proof that the Pogo industry is “deeply entrenched in criminal activities” and that they have no regard to the rule of law.
“Maliwanag na kahit lehitimong Pogo ay sangkot din sa krimen... This proves that Pogo industry players are merely using their licenses as a front while perpetrating various crimes in the country,” he said.
(It is clear that even legitimate Pogo is also involved in crime... This proves that Pogo industry players are merely using their licenses as a front while perpetrating various crimes in the country.)
He reiterated his call to ban Pogo operations in the country.
“Ang punto ko, 'wag tayong tumanggap ng mga negosyo na makakasira sa atin dahil base sa mga datos at police report, ang POGO ay palaging may dalang krimen. At hanggang nandyan ang mga POGO, laganap pa rin ang krimen sa bansa,” said Gatchalian.
(My point is, let's not accept businesses that will destroy us because based on data and police reports, Pogo always brings crime. And until the Pogos are there, crime is still rampant in the country.)
"Nag-usap na kami ng pangulo tungkol dito. Very concerned siya sa mga krimen na nangyayari sa Pogo. Sang-ayon din ang economic managers na kahit na anong bentahe natin o promotion sa Piipinas, kung may mga ganitong krimen ay sira tayo agad at sayang lang ang mga ginagawa natin para sa bansa," he added.
(The President and I have talked about this. He is very concerned with the crimes that happen in Pogo. The economic managers also agree that no matter what advantage or promotion we have in the Philippines, if there are crimes like this, we will be ruined immediately and what we are doing for the country is a waste.) (SunStar Philippines)