Forged papers hid real owners of illegal POGO hubs, says Gatchalian

Illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs used fake incorporation papers so that the real owners cannot be located, according to Senator Sherwin Gatchalian.

In Mav Gonzales’ report on 24 Oras Weekend on Sunday, names of persons unrelated to the POGO were used, like an employee whose name was listed as one of the incorporators of Lucky South 99 without his consent.

“May Chinese na sindikato na nasa likod nito tapos meron silang mga local na mga partners o local na ginagamit. Ito ang mga gumagalaw para makakuha ng mga papeles,” Gatchalian said.

(There is a Chinese syndicate behind this. They have local partners or local workers processing the papers.)

The upcoming Senate hearing on Wednesday will focus on the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.

The Committee on Women and Children ordered the issuance of subpoenas against Lucky South 99 and its owners since they did not attend the last Senate hearing.

“Ito 'yung landowner para sumagot at magbigay ng paliwanag kung bakit sa loob ng compound nila merong ganitong mga torture at pangyayari,” Gatchalian said.

(This is addressed to the landowner for them to answer and give an explanation as to why there is torture inside their compound.)

Porac Mayor Jaime Capil was also invited to attend the Senate hearing.

“May mga lumalabas na may connection siya dito sa Porac POGO hub. May mga personalities na nakikita kami na kakilala niya o meron silang relasyon. Ito tuloy-tuloy pa ang imbestigasyon,” Gatchalian said.

(There are reports that the mayor has connections in the Porac POGO hub. We see that he knows or has a relation to some personalities. The investigation is still ongoing.)

Capil however, in a message to his constituents, said the accusations are lies.

"Nitong mga nagdaang araw, humarap ang ating Bayan sa mga mapanirang akusasyon na walang katotohanan. Bilang inyong Mayor, hindi ko matatanggap na patuloy na madungisan ang ating pangalan ng mga walang batayang paratang. Ang mga ganitong pahayag ay hindi lamang sumisira sa akin, kundi sa buong Porac," he said.

(These past few days, our town faced harmful accusations that are not true. As your Mayor, I cannot accept that our name will continue to be blemished by accusations without basis. These harm not just myself but also the whole Porac.)

"Dahil dito, napilitan na akong maghain ng kaukulang reklamo upang ipagtanggol ang ating karangalan. Hindi tayo papayag na ang kasinungalingan ang magwagi. Ang ating laban ay laban para sa katotohanan at katarungan," Capil added.

(Because of this, I had no choice but file a complaint to defend our honor. We will not allow falsehood to prevail. Our fight is for truth and justice.)

Capil then appealed to his constituents to support him in his fight for truth. "Magtulungan tayo upang itaguyod ang katotohanan (Let us help each other in pursuing truth)," he said.

The mayor previously denied involvement in the POGO hub.

The Senate committee also ordered the issuance of subpoenas against suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and her family members.

They may be cited in contempt if they fail to attend the Senate hearing.

GMA Integrated News has sought comments from Guo, but her lawyer earlier said the suspended Bamban mayor may not be able to attend the hearing.

Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is investigating the gas vent incinerator found in the Porac POGO hub and whether it is connected to the report that it was used to cremate some of its employees.

“Yesterday it was confirmed by the provincial director of Pampanga police, that they were able find around nine, if I’m not mistaken. Two of those or three were found in Porac. We have to find a definite link. Otherwise, it would remain as conjectural,”  PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said.

POACC is coordinating with the Pampanga police regarding the incident. — Celine Serquiña/BM/KG, GMA Integrated News