PNP-ACG partners with Pagcor to curb Pogo’s illegal activities without raids

(From left) Southern Police District director Brig. Gen. Kirby John Kraft, PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr., and PNP-ACG director Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia hold a press conference at Camp Crame, Quezon, on July 10, 2023. INQUIRER.net / Faith Argosino

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Unit (PNP-ACG) on Monday announced plans to collaborate with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) in inspecting Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos).

The move aims to eliminate the need for police raids while uncovering illegal activities within Pogo hubs.

The decision follows a June 27 incident where two Taiwanese and four Chinese fugitives were discovered among over 2,000 workers rescued from a Pogo company. PNP-ACG director, Police Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia, sees this as a crucial step in cracking down on illicit activities linked to Pogo establishments.

“Unang una, pumunta po tayo sa chairman of Pagcor, nakipagusap tayo, inilatad natin itong mga nakitang problema at ang actions na gagawin ng ating Pagcor. Pagaganahin itong pagmomonitor at pag-iinspect ng different establishments ng mga Pogo,” Hernia said in a press conference held  in Camp Crame in Quezon City.

(We visited the chairman of Pagcor and talked to him. We laid out the problems that we found and the actions that Pagcor will take to monitor and inspect the different establishments of the Pogos.)

Aside from monitoring Pogo firms, he said that PNP-ACG and Pagcor have been discussing ways to change the latter’s policy or manual related to on-site inspections of Pogo firms.

Hernia added that Pagcor has also asked ACG for input for the proposed changes in the policy, which covers the inclusion of cops in Pogo inspections.

“Hopefully in the next coming days ay mailalabas na ng Pagcor yung mga changes na ito. Makakatulong ito para hindi na po tayo mapunta doon sa puro na lang police operations, raid dito, raid doon, so andami pong naaapektuhan. So most likely, mas maganda sa policy level yung ating mga gagawin para maiwasan itong mga malalaking raid,” he said.

(Hopefully, Pagcor will release these changes in the next few days. This will help us avoid police operations and raids affecting many people. So it is better to address this concern at the policy level.)

On June 27, authorities served warrants to Xinchuang Network Technology Inc. for its alleged violation of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and rescued 2,714 Filipino workers. Of this number, 1,528 were Filipino workers, and 1,186 were from 17 other countries.

Aside from the six fugitives, five Chinese suspects were subjected to inquest proceedings on June 30 at the Department of Justice in Manila for violating provisions of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 related to the Cybercrime Prevention Act 2012.

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JPV/abc