DILG, PAOCC warn vs. illegal POGOs affecting elections

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) have warned about the likelihood that money coming from the illegal activities of some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) firms may be used for the 2025 polls. 

“Whether we like it or not sa totoo lang kung minsan itong mga perang illegal na ito ay ginagamit to prop up candidates. 'Yun ang masaklap dito, all of these things could possibly affect an election,” said Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos in Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday. 

(Whether we like it or not, the money from these illegal activities may be used to prop up candidates. Unfortunately, all of these things could affect an election.)

Data from the PAOCC showed that POGO hubs earn at least P2 billion in revenues per month from illegal activities including 

“Ang isang corrupt na pulitiko, kung siya ay alkalde ng isang bayan, hindi mo na kailangan mag-apply ng kahit ano pang dokumento, you can just operate anytime,” said PAOCC Spokesperson Winston Casio. 

(If the elected mayor is a corrupt politician then POGOs don’t even need to apply documents. They can just operate anytime.)

“Bulag, pipi ang bingi ang isang corrupt na pulitiko kapag nasusuhulan ng magpo-POGO,” Casio added.

(The politician will be blind, and deaf to their illegal activities.)

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said the operations of the recently raided POGO hubs in the towns of Bamban and Porac are interconnected. They declined to provide further information as the investigation is still ongoing. 

At the POGO hub in Porac, police and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) had found items used for torture,  alleged Chinese military uniforms, and some devices used for cloning SIM cards and for sending out text blasts.

Meanwhile, six Chinese POGO workers from the raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac were found to be fugitives facing charges in their country. The Chinese had warrants of arrest for fraud, operating gambling dens, and other crimes. 

“Parang ang nakikita namin mga souvenir na ginagamit ng mga Chinese nationals doon sa Porac but we are not discounting the possibility na may iba pang reason,” said PNP-CIDG Director Police Major General Leo Francisco. 

(The Chinese uniforms may be used as souvenirs but we are not discounting the possibility there may be other reasons.) —Sundy Locus/NB, GMA Integrated News