Nearly 100 of 402 canceled Pogos still operational, says PAOCC

MANILA, Philippines — Approximately 100 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) with canceled licenses are still operating, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Thursday.

In a Palace briefing, PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said they sought the help of law enforcement agencies to combat the illegal operation of these Pogos.

READ: 7 more Filipinos rescued in Pampanga Pogo raid — PAOCC

“To be honest with you, hindi namin alam kung hanggang kailan pa ito kayang i-sustain kung PAOCC lamang ang magsasagawa nito, kaya nga kami ay laging humihiling ng tulong.

“Katuwang namin lagi rito ang PNP (Philippine National Police), NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, AMLC (Anti-Money Laundering Council), at maging ang Pagcor (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation),” Casio said.

(To be honest with you, we don’t know how long PAOCC can sustain this operation by itself. That’s why we always ask for help – we are always working with the PNP, NBI, DOJ, BI, AMLC, and even Pagcor.)

“Kasi sa listahang ibinigay ni Pagcor noong nakaraang taon, mayroon silang 402 na ‘di umano’y mga kanseladong mga Pogos. Sa aming pagmamanman doon sa 402 na iyon, marami pa ho, halos isang daan pa rin ho ang mga operational sa mga iyon,” she added.

(In the list provided by Pagcor last year, there were 402 allegedly canceled Pogos. In our monitoring of those 402, there are many more, almost a hundred of them are still operational.)

Earlier, the PNP revealed that Pagcor denied Lucky South 99’s application to operate as an internet gaming establishment last May 20.

Lucky South 99 is a Pogo establishment that had been illegally operating since late last year until it was raided last June 4, it added.

PAOCC’s report on Wednesday said its personnel, along with joint operatives of the PNP units, conducted the raid that resulted in the “apprehension” of 187 individuals inside the Pogo complex along Friendship Highway, Angeles City.

Of the 158 foreigners, 126 were Chinese, 23 were Vietnamese, four were Malaysians, four were Burmese, and one was Korean.

PAOCC further disclosed that its operation stemmed from a warrant issued by the Presiding Judge Maria Belinda Rama of Malolos Regional Trial Court, Branch 14, against officers and employees of Lucky South 99, which the commission said was “the biggest facility in Pampanga with a reported total number of 46 buildings including villas and other structures, as well as a golf course.”

The warrant, on the other hand, was issued following a report PAOCC received from confidential informants detailing how a female foreigner was sexually trafficked in the area while male foreigners were tortured.