Pogo bosses summoned for skipping probe into alleged business anomalies

Following an inspection, Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros says she was shocked to see a torture chamber inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Pasay City. During Friday’s hearing, November 10, 2023, of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender, Hontiveros described the torture chamber as a picture of agony and suffering where several blood stains scattered around the walls of the room. Photo by Kyle Venturillo/Office of Sen. Hontiveros

MANILA, Philippines — A Senate panel issued a subpoena against incorporators of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) Smart Web Technology for failing to show up during Friday’s hearing on the firm’s alleged business irregularities.

Citing the “gravity of the issue,” Senator Sherwin Gatchalian moved to ask the Senate committee on women, children, family relations and gender to subpoena Kevin Bautista de Jesus, Fidel Mignon Curitana Sarausad, and Delia Abaratigue Montibon.

Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, who was presiding over the hearing as the committee chair, approved Gatchalian’s motion.

Smart Web Technology is an internet gaming licensee located in Pasay City.

READ: Senators inspect ‘prostitution den’ in Pasay Pogo hub

In late October, law enforcement operatives discovered that the firm houses an “aquarium-style” viewing chamber, an alleged torture room, and massage parlors reportedly being used for prostitution.

Following the raid, police have detained nearly 600 people on various offenses which include sex trafficking and online fraud.

“Dapat i-ban na ni Presidente ang mga Pogo. Kung totoong gusto niyang depensahan ang bansa natin laban sa mga nambabastos sa ating soberanya, isama niya na ang buong industriya ng online gambling sa mga pinapalayas sa ating teritoryo,” Hontiveros said during the hearing.

(The President should ban Pogos. If he really wants to defend our country against those who abuse our sovereignty, he should include the entire online gambling industry among those being kicked out of our territory.)