Tarlac mayor denies involvement in POGO scam hub operations

The mayor of Bamban, Tarlac denied involvement in the operations of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) which was raided last month over suspected illegal activities.

In Saleema Refran’s “24 Oras” report Monday, Mayor Alice Guo rejected accusations she abetted the alleged illegal activities of Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated, which included human trafficking and illegal detention.

“I deny in the strongest terms all of these allegations of criminal conduct — or at least, allegations that I have somehow aided and abetted the supposedly Zun Yuan Technology Inc.,” she said.

“Human trafficking, torture, and illegal detention are heinous crimes that I never, ever tolerate, much less be involved in,” said Guo.

The mayor added she welcomed any investigation by the proper authorities at the proper forum.

Furthermore, should she be given the chance to do so at the proper forum, she was ready to answer all accusations and show that the allegations were false and unjust.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian earlier alleged Guo’s possible involvement with the POGO hub, citing a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution indicating that Guo — who was then a private citizen — supposedly applied for the license to operate the Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc.

Hongsheng was raided in February 2023. The same compound was then used by Zun Yuan Technology Inc., the company that was raided this month.

Gatchalian said a list of vehicles found inside the premises of Zun Yuan Technology and verification with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) showed that one of the vehicles was registered under Guo's name.

He also said a statement of account issued to Guo by Tarlac II Electric Cooperative Inc. was found inside the premises of Zuan Yuan.

Meanwhile, millions worth of cash and government identification (ID) cards were recovered from the sealed vaults seized at the POGO firm. They were opened under the power of a break-open order from the court.

At least P5 million was found inside a vault recovered from the admin building alongside dollars and other currencies.

“What we need is evidence that would lead us to their digital currency, to their digital accounts, mga crypto wallets, mga seed prices, kasi yun ang lifeblood ng mga POGOs eh, digital currency,” said Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Spokesperson Winston John Casio.

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin previously ordered the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze the assets of the corporation and the compound.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government, for its part, created a task force to investigate the local officials of Bamban for their possible involvement or negligence in the operation of the alleged scam hub in their municipality. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News