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Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Piñas City on June 27, 2023. File

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Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group

ABS-CBN News

Karen De Guzman

MANILA— Some senators are calling on Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco to identify the former Cabinet official he has hinted is linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).Sen. Joel Villanueva demanded that the PAGCOR chief disclose the identity of the former official allegedly involved.“Wala naman po tayo sa showbiz kaya hindi naman kailangan magpa-blind item. Kailangan pong malaman ng taumbayan ang katotohanan at panagutin ang mga nagtutulak sa bayan sa kumunoy ng kaguluhan,” Villanueva said in a text message.(This is not show business, so there is no need for blind items. The people need to know the truth and to hold to account those who are pushing our country into the quicksand of chaos.)Villanueva believes that Tengco&#x27;s disclosure would justify the permanent banning of POGOs in the country if it is proven that high-ranking officials were behind their proliferation.&quot;They have infiltrated not only the business and gaming industries but also our government, allegedly with local and even high-ranking officials serving as their protectors,” Villanueva said.Senate Minority Leader Aquilino &quot;Koko&quot; Pimentel III, on the other hand, argued that disclosing this person&#x27;s identity is crucial to prevent suspicion falling on other former officials.“To be fair to all former Cabinet members, PAGCOR should reveal the identity of this person, so he or she can defend [themself],&quot; Pimentel said.Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who has been looking into irregularities and abuse in POGOs and in scam centers, will be calling for another hearing and is hoping that Tengco will attend to reveal what he knows.“Whoever that ex-Cabinet official turns out to be, the fact remains: POGOs are being used as a legal cover for scam hubs. Kahit pa may ligal na lisensya mula mismo sa PAGCOR, may mga criminal activities pa rin na nangyayari sa POGO,” Hontiveros said.(Even those with licenses from PAGCOR have been implicated in criminal activities)Tengco mentioned in a previous statement that there has been a significant decrease in the number of POGO licensees from 298 during the previous administration to only 43.They are also investigating the involvement of former officials and their connections in the granting of licenses to POGO applicants with dubious backgrounds.<div><a href="http://pagcor%20says%20it%20will%20name%20&#x27;controversial%20individuals&#x27;%20linked%20to%20illegal%20pogos/">READ: PAGCOR says it will name &#x27;controversial individuals&#x27; linked to illegal POGOs</a></div><div>SUSPENDED BAMBAN MAYOR ALICE GUO’S LINK TO POGO</div>The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is confident in their case against suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, citing successful raids on illegal POGO hubs in her town of Bamban, Tarlac and in Porac, Pampanga.“We’re very confident that we got enough goods on Guo Hua Ping. She bastardized our system and we are going to make sure that we are going to throw everything at her,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said, referring to Guo&#x27;s supposed actual name.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/27/nbi-fingerprints-of-alice-guo-guo-hua-ping-match-2333">RELATED: Fingerprints of Alice Guo, Guo Hua Ping match — NBI</a></div>Casio is positive that they will capture high-value individuals who managed to escape from the Tarlac and Pampanga raids.“We may not have gotten them in Porac or Bamban, but at the end of the day we are certain that we are going to get them all,” Casio said.Meanwhile, PAOCC is calling for a serious probe into the acquisition and rental of land in rice-producing provinces by some foreigners.“We are kind of anxious as to their real intention. This could possibly affect our food security if at the end of the day, they’ll be able to control the prices of our basic commodities such as our basic staple: rice,” Casio said.<div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/regions/2024/6/27/bishop-asks-government-to-check-foreigners-buying-lands-in-palawan-1710">RELATED: Bishop asks government to check foreigners buying lands in Palawan</a></div>“This would also affect our national security because some of the lands being bought by foreign nationals appear to be near adjacent to enhanced defense agency cites so we have to look at them seriously,” he added.

Some senators are calling on PAGCOR chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco to identify the former Cabinet official he has hinted is linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

Some senators are calling on PAGCOR chair and CEO Alejandro Tengco to identify the former Cabinet official he has hinted is linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.

‘Pangalanan na!’: Senators call on PAGCOR to name ex-Cabinet official tied to illegal POGOs

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‘Pangalanan na!’: Senators call on PAGCOR to name ex-Cabinet official tied to illegal POGOs

ABS-CBN News,

Karen De Guzman

Published Jul 01, 2024 12:18 AM PHT

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Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

PAGCOR

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators

POGO

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