Philippine officials are pushing to expose the masterminds behind the country’s online gambling operations, amid concerns over illegal activities and revenue losses. A Senate investigation is underway, focusing on the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), to uncover the real owners and beneficiaries.
Philippine Officials Want To Expose The Real Bosses Behind Pogo
“It’s heartbreaking that in all the investigations we’ve done, the people who have been charged are all Filipinos,” Escudero said in an interview with dwIZ radio.
“Where are the Chinese nationals behind (POGOs)? Where are the real owners of POGOs? Why have I not seen any of them being pressured and threatened until now?” Escudero asked.
POGO is a popular acronym for online gambling operations targeting foreign customers.
The Philippine Senate leader said the government should identify and file similar cases against Chinese nationals who allegedly used POGOs to commit transnational crimes, specifically money laundering and human trafficking. Escudero pointed out that such responsibility rests squarely with the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Immigration.
Philippine Senate President Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero on September 7 stressed that investigations must expose the bosses behind online gambling operations, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
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Former Mayor of Bamban Town, Alice Guo, Was Dismissed
Among the dozens of individuals who have been prosecuted so far for alleged involvement in illegal POPOs, Alice Guo, the former mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province, has been removed from office, and her family members are the most prominent, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Philippine Assistant Attorney General Jose Dominic Clavano IV said Guo could qualify as a state witness if she confesses and exposes the “masterminds” of the illegal POGOs.
Guo was recently brought back to Manila a day after her arrest in Indonesia. She fled the Philippines in July to avoid a Senate investigation and other cases against her.
Ms. Guo’s family is suspected of using their businesses and bank accounts. From there, as a means to bring in dirty money from abroad to finance the large POGO complex in Bamban. POGO zones were raided and shut down by authorities in March.
Ms. Guo’s Escape Involves Indonesians
Mr Escudero said it was possible that Ms Guo had “connections” and knew someone in Indonesia who helped her escape from the Philippines. On September 4, Indonesian Minister of Law and Human Rights Supratman Andi Agtas said. Ms. Guo was helped by a former Chinese police officer during her escape from the Philippines.
Two Philippine senators, Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros, are at the forefront of two separate senate investigations into POGOs. Previously, biometric evidence was presented showing that Ms. Guo was a Chinese citizen named Guo Hua Ping. Her “sister” is Shiela, also identified as a Chinese national named Ziang Mier.
Senator Hontiveros also said that Ms. Guo could be a Chinese spy. She was trained to infiltrate and influence the Philippine political system. And Beijing may have deployed other spies like Ms. Guo, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
There is currently no information on China’s reaction to Ms. Guo’s case or Senator Hontiveros’s comments.
