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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 Pinas City. File

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ILLEGAL GAMBLING/HUMAN TRAFFICKING

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<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/171979368955120230627-pogo-raid-las-pinas-mh.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="white-space:pre-wrap">Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City. <em>File</em></span></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> – The head of the Philippine gaming regulator is ready to identify the former Cabinet official who is allegedly linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), an official said Monday.</p><p>Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco had said the former Cabinet official had lobbied for the granting of licenses to some illegal POGOs. </p><p>“Sabi naman po ni Chairman Al Tengco ay sa tamang lugar po babanggitin niya at ibibulgar niya ang pangalan kaya siguro po baka maghihintay na lang si Chairman ng formal na imbestigasyon kung halimbawa man ay sa Senado,” said Pagcor Assistant Vice President for External Communications Jun Alano.  </p><p>“Malalim po kasi yung ginagawa nating pagsasaliksik. Binuklat natin talaga lahat ng records para hindi tayo magkamali at sigurado tayo doon sa impormasyon na hawak natin,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. </p><p>Alano said other officials might have ties to POGOs. </p><p>“Mukhang si Chairman mismo yung nakakatanggap ng mga tawag, mga medyo pahiwatag doon sa ilang opisyal. Hindi lang ho ata isa yan e,” Alano said. </p><p dir="ltr">“Opo, marami po. Alam n’yo naman po medyo malaking pera yung pinag-uusapan sa negosyong ‘yan, so iba-iba po yung mga lumalapit kay Chairman, sa Pagcor para mapagbigyan yung ilang humihingi at gustong magkaroon ng lisensya,” he added, declining to give more details. </p><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/6/-ties-of-chinese-syndicates-to-local-criminals-revealed-in-pogo-executive-session-925">&#x27;Kinilabutan ako&#x27;: &#x27;Ties&#x27; of Chinese syndicates to local criminals revealed in POGO executive session</a></div><p dir="ltr">Senate President Francis &quot;Chiz&quot; Escudero on Monday said the regulator should name the supposed official</p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">“If not, the committee chaired and headed by Sens. [Risa] Hontiveros and [Sherwin] Gatchalian should unmask this official,” he said, to clear other former high-ranking Cabinet officials of suspicion of involvement in POGOs.</p><div style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal"><br/></div><p style="margin-bottom:0px;line-height:normal">The involvement of a former Cabinet official with illegal POGOs “is deeply alarming and proves POGOs link to high government officials,” said Gatchalian. </p><div dir="ltr"><br/></div><p dir="ltr">“Dapat nating papanagutin ang mga kasapi ng gobyerno na dawit sa mga iligal at kriminal na aktibidad. Sila, na pinagkakatiwalaan nating mamuno nang may integridad, ay may mas mataas na responsibilidad na magpakita ng tuwid at tamang asal,” he said in a statement. </p><p dir="ltr">“Ang anumang paglabag sa batas mula sa kanilang hanay ay isang pagtataksil sa tiwala ng bayan,” the lawmaker added.</p><p dir="ltr">There are only 42 POGOs licensed under Pagcor, Alano noted. </p><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/6/paocc-estimates-some-100-illegal-pogo-facilities-still-operating-in-the-country-1712">PAOCC estimates some 100 illegal POGO facilities still operating in the country</a></div><p dir="ltr">Authorities had cracked down on illegal POGOs following reports of kidnapping, prostitution and murder.</p><p dir="ltr">POGOs employ mainly Chinese workers and target customers in China where gambling is illegal. Some have been linked to investment fraud.</p><p dir="ltr">POGOs boomed in 2016 as former president Rodrigo Duterte pursued closer trade and investment ties with China.</p><p dir="ltr">But the influx of tens of thousands of Chinese workers created friction.</p><p dir="ltr">Many Filipinos complain POGOs evaded taxes and driven up property rates while not providing job opportunities because not enough locals speak Chinese languages.</p><div dir="ltr"><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/6/29/3-more-chinese-linked-to-pogo-hub-arrested-in-fontana-1917">3 more Chinese linked to illegal POGO hubs arrested in Fontana</a></div><div dir="ltr"><strong>– With a report from Agence France-Presse </strong></div>

<p>The head of the Philippine gaming regulator is ready to identify the former Cabinet official who is allegedly linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), an official said Monday.</p>

The head of the Philippine gaming regulator is ready to identify the former Cabinet official who is allegedly linked to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), an official said Monday.

Pagcor chief to name ex-Cabinet official linked to illegal POGOs

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Pagcor chief to name ex-Cabinet official linked to illegal POGOs

ABS-CBN News

Published July 01, 2024 08:49 AM PHT

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Updated July 01, 2024 11:28 AM PHT

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