Many foreigners from Pampanga POGO failed to show passports

Some 155 foreigners who were rescued from a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga failed to present their passports to the authorities. 

According to  Oscar Oida’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday, the foreigners are now under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PAOCC) and undergoing biometrics to verify if they have pending cases. 

Among those who were rescued during a raid on Wednesday were Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and Burmese citizens. 

However, some of them claimed that they are just in the Philippines for vacation. 

“We have no work in here. We don’t work in here. We just come here to travel,” a Vietnamese woman said. 

“We are not POGO. We are just friends together,” a Malaysian citizen said. 

But when asked by the PAOCC to show their passports, they failed to present one. 

“Wala ho akong nakitang swimming pool…Wala rin ho akong nakita doong beach resort,” said Winston Casio, PAOCC spokesperson. “Tandaan ho natin mga scammer ho ito. Kahit anong kwento ay gagawin nila para mapapaniwala ang kahit sino po.” 

(I did not see any swimming pool..I also didn’t notice any beach resort. Remember, these are scammers. They will create stories just to convince people.) 

According to its initial investigation, PAOCC alleged that the people behind the POGO hub in Porac could also be connected to the one in Bamban, Tarlac. 

“Itong susunod na mga araw po siguro, makikita natin kung sino nga ba ang tunay na may-ari sa likod nitong Lucky South 99 at mabibigla ang sambayanang Pilipino kung sino nga ba ang nasa likod,” said Casio. 

(We will find out in the coming days who is the real owner of Lucky South 99 and the people will be surprised for sure.) —Vince Ferreras/LDF/KG, GMA Integrated News