CAUGHT IN THE ACT. Security forces watch over employees of Central One Bataan PH Inc., a suspected scam hub located at CentroPark in Bagac, Bataan raided by authorities on Thursday afternoon (Oct. 31, 2024). The raiding teams found evidence that may be linked to cryptocurrency and illegal gambling. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)
MANILA, Philippines – Two days before an operation in Bataan on Oct. 31 led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the police raided another alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Ermita, Manila.
The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) spearheaded the operation at the 40-story Century Peak Tower on Oct. 29.
Employees of previously shuttered Pogo hubs reportedly worked in the tower.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna “was informed of the raid as the operations got underway” but the PAOCC said it was not consulted.
The PAOCC disowned what it called a “flawed” operation because foreign suspects were reportedly let go. It likewise denied releasing statements about the raid it had no knowledge of.
“The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission was not part of the raid that was spearheaded by the PNP NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) and the PNP ACG. We were never consulted nor informed regarding this operation. We never release any foreign nationals caught in POGOs,” read the PAOCC statement released early Saturday.
“Please do not associate PAOCC with flawed operations.”
The PAOCC said all its operations were always properly coordinated with the Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Bureau of Immigration.
“Moreover, we never said that the said raided Pogo is the mother of all POGOs. As aforementioned that we had nothing to do with this operation, thus we will not release any statement regarding its investigation,” the agency said.
The PAOCC, led by Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, PNP-Special Action Force and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group raided Central One Bataan PH Inc., located at CentroPark in Bagac, Bataan on Oct. 31 on the strength of a search warrant issued by a Malolos, Bulacan court.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said Central One secured a license to function as a business process outsourcing firm but evidence suggested it may be linked to illegal online gambling and cryptocurrency.
Lacuna said the Century Peak Tower hub must start winding down its operations in the city.
“They can tell the owners of the buildings and houses they occupy that they are ending their rent or lease agreements. They can start serving notices to their employees that their employment contracts will end very soon,” she said in another statement near midnight Friday.
She added that Manila’s Public Employment Service Office can assist displaced Filipinos in looking for new jobs.
Lacuna said she supports the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that all Pogos must be completely shut down not later than Dec. 31 this year.
Based on intelligence reports, Casio said there are still 111 illegal Pogo hubs yet to cease operations.