Pampanga POGO yields more Chinese uniforms, sex toys, abandoned pets

More alleged Chinese military uniforms, sex toys, and animals were seized in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firm in Porac, Pampanga, which was recently raided for alleged illegal activities including human trafficking, sex trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and scamming.

According to Jonathan Andal’s “24 Oras” report Tuesday, continued inspection of the 46 buildings of the Lucky South 99 POGO compound yielded four more sets of camouflage uniforms with buttons bearing the initials PLA, suspected to be China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA). 

Also recovered were military boots, and belts with an emblem. 

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said the uniforms will be examined for legitimacy. It also said it will check if the names found inside the uniforms will match any of the passports of the arrested Chinese citizens. 

“Medyo kinagulat lang natin. Siya ba ay pumasok doon dahil gusto niya magtrabaho sa POGO hub at dati siyang military? Kung makakakuha tayo ng impormasyon na siya ay in active service at siya ay pumasok doon sa POGO hub na yun para for other intention malalaman natin yan through our investigation,” said PAOCC chief Gilbert Cruz. 

(We were shocked. How did they become POGO employees? Are they here to work and were previously soldiers? We’ll know if they are still in active service and they entered the POGO hub for other intentions through our investigation.)

“May mga video pa nga na pinasa sa amin yung mga babae nagsasayaw ng hubad. Binibenta nila online or nila-livestream nila. So merong sexual exploitation na nangyayari sa loob,” Cruz added. 

(We recovered a video where females were being asked to dance naked. They were selling it online so there’s sexual exploitation here.)

A copy of the 2019 Mayor’s permit and 2019 municipal resolution of notice of no objection obtained by GMA Integrated News showed that Mayor Jaime Capil signed the documents used to apply for the POGO firm’s license, permit, and franchise. 

Capil previously denied involvement in the illegal POGO, saying he only allowed it as a legitimate business entity. 

“Sa akin kasi so far wala pa naman po ako natatanggap. Siguro pwede po kami humingi ng mga records sa kanila. Kung kailan po naitayo ito, paano po tumayo ito, sino yung dati mga may-ari ,” said Cruz.

(I haven’t received any efforts for cooperation from them. Maybe we can ask for records like when the building was constructed, and who were its owners.)

“Kung sino yung nag-apply ng business permit, kung sino yung nag-apply ng mga mayor's permit, mga sanitary permit, siyempre yun po yung may-ari,” he added.

(The one who applied for the permits is the owner.)

Several animals including dogs, and Macaw birds were likewise rescued in the compound by the Philippine Animal Welfare Society. —Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News