Raid on Puerto Galera resort yields gambling paraphernalia

Authorities seized gambling paraphernalia during a raid at a Puerto  Galera resort that allegedly catered to foreigners exclusively, Paul Hernandez reported on “24 Oras” on Tuesday.

According to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) MIMAROPA,  an intel report that an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub operated at the resort prompted the raid.

During the Saturday raid in Barangay Sinandingan, authorities seized slot machines, baccarat tables, playing cards, and betting chips.

Authorities found 40 foreigners at the resort but there was no evidence of actual gambling taking place.

“Nakapagtataka, parang na-tip-off nga 'yung operation dahil walang tao nang datnan,  only the owner. Nakapagtataka na wala man lang tao doon sa poolside,  bar. Eh, usually 'yan 'yung mga tambayan nila,” NBI-MIMAROPA Director  Gelacio Bongngat said.

(It seems they were tipped off on the operation since no one was around, only the owner. Surprisingly, there were no people poolside or at the bar. That’s where they usually hang out.)

According to the NBI, the resort opened in 2019.

They also believed that the resort was exclusively for foreigners, the majority of whom were Chinese.  

Aside from gambling paraphernalia, authorities also discovered laptops and SIM cards.

According to the NBI, the owner was a foreigner.

“He's of Chinese descent. Pero noong tiningnan namin 'yung passport niya, sir, ano pala siya American national,” Bongngat said.

(He's of Chinese descent but when we saw his passport, he is an American national.)

The owner declined to comment.

As to whether an illegal POGO was operating at the resort, Puerto Galera Mayor Rocky Ilagan was surprised by the allegation.

He emphasized that no POGOs were operating in their town.

“We don't allow that kind of illegal na mga activity. And then sabi ko ano  ang mga nahuli? Mga mahjong tables daw. Sabi ko ang mga resorts talagang meron 'yang ping-pong, table tennis, mahjong as part ng recreation ng  mga guest," Ilagan said.

(“We don't allow those kinds of illegal activities. And then I asked what was seized. They said mahjong tables. I  said it is a resort so it’s normal there is ping-pong, table  tennis, and mahjong as part of the guest recreation activities.)

“We cannot deny or ascertain 'yung ano din ni Mayor, kasi nga as of now,  hindi pa natin napatunayan nga na POGO nga talaga 'yung mga nandoon,”  Bongngat said.

(We cannot deny or ascertain the mayor’s claims, because as of now, we have yet to prove that there is a POGO hub in the resort.)

Bongngat added that the resort had a business and mayor’s permit, but the gambling paraphernalia did not have the necessary documents.

The seized gambling paraphernalia would be inventoried as part of the investigation. — Mariel Celine SerquiñaMariel Celine Serquiña/DVM, GMA Integrated News