BPO raid in Bataan uncovers illegal gambling operation

Authorities have uncovered an illegal gambling operation as they raided a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm in Bagac, Bataan due to alleged labor trafficking.

Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio said the establishment used the online betting platform Winbox, which has been banned in many countries.

“It's a gambling app, gambling platform na banned sa maraming bansa…Because it is a hub for cryptocurrency scamming,” he said in Saleema Refran's report on "Saksi" on Friday.

(It’s a gambling app, a gambling platform banned in many countries…Because it is a hub for cryptocurrency scamming.)

Also spotted in the raided firm were rows of computers and cellphones used for the gambling operations that handled millions or even billions of pesos worth of bets ''at any given week,'' Casio added.

“They are operating a back-end support operation on businesses,” said Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group chief Police Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III.

“Ngayon pa lang sa ating mga initial na pagtingin, nakikita natin na we will have a very airtight case against sa mga suspects na ito,” said Region 3 Police director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan.

(Based on our initial investigation, I think we will have a very airtight case against the suspects.)

On Thursday, Casio said the raid was prompted by a complaint that there were Filipinos who were victims of labor trafficking.

“Ngayon meron din mga foreign nationals na andito sa loob na hindi makalabas. Nagrereklamo mga foreign nationals na wala silang liberty na lumabas o umikot dito. May indications of labor trafficking dito.”

(There were also foreign nationals detained. They complained about being unable to have the liberty to leave or go around the area. There were indications of labor trafficking here.)

Prior to this, the BPO was inspected by the Authority of the Free Port of Bataan and the local government, who both claimed to have found no irregularities.

Following the raid, 42 foreigners will undergo immigration profiling.

Among those who were arrested during the raid was the Indonesian team leader, who is wanted in Indonesia for scamming activities, the PAOCC said.

The PAOCC added that the Indonesian suspect allegedly manipulated the games on the gambling platform.

Meanwhile, PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said scam hubs could use BPO as cover in light of the government's decision to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

“BPO ang ginagamit nila pero cover lang 'yun. Actually ang ginagawa rin nila, puro iligal din,” Cruz said.

(They claim to be BPO, but that’s just a cover. Actually they are also doing illegal activities.) —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VBL, GMA Integrated News