POGO, NO GO

[OnMyWay]

There was a POGO bust in my neighborhood last week.  Since then, I have first hand knowledge that they are serious about weeding out illegal POGO operations.  I think the Feds are embarrassed about the Guo case.  I don't know about other areas, but here is Subic, there are special investigators on the ground trying to root out the last of the POGO.  Bribing the locals ain't going to cut it anymore, at least, for the time being.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1232722

By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan

September 5, 2024, 6:44 pm

Share

X (formerly Twitter)
Viber
Email
<p><strong>POGO RAID.</strong> CIDG operatives mount a search warrant operation at a POGO hub in Subic, Zambales on Wednesday (Sept. 4, 2024). Authorities rescued 18 Chinese nationals and two suspects for alleged human trafficking. <em>(Photo courtesy of CIDG)</em></p>
POGO RAID. CIDG operatives mount a search warrant operation at a POGO hub in Subic, Zambales on Wednesday (Sept. 4, 2024). Authorities rescued 18 Chinese nationals and two suspects for alleged human trafficking. (Photo courtesy of CIDG)

MANILA – Police authorities swooped down on an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) facility in Zambales.

In a report on Thursday, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Leo Francisco said the operation conducted at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the hub located at 9-B Grooper Street inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone resulted in the rescue of 18 Chinese nationals.

Police also arrested two suspects, with aliases "Bao Go" and "A Hai" for alleged human trafficking.

The operation stemmed from a search warrant issued by the Olongapo City Regional Trial Court Branch 97 dated Sept. 3 for possible violation of human trafficking laws.

Police seized during the operation 18 desktop computers, assorted mobile phones, documents, bank cards, IDs, a safety vault, and some bolos (large knives).

The search was witnessed by barangay officials and a representative from the Department of Social Welfare and Development. It was confirmed that no minors were among the rescued individuals during the operation.

Francisco said the suspects were duly informed of their rights under the Constitution and the Anti-Torture Law, in a language they understood.

Further, all body-worn cameras and alternative recording devices were activated throughout the operation to ensure transparency and compliance with legal protocols.

The arrested suspects, rescued individuals, and seized pieces of evidence are currently in the custody of the CIDG Intelligence Division at Camp Crame, Quezon City, for documentation and further disposition.

A criminal complaint for violations of Republic Act (RA) 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003), as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act), is being prepared for submission to the appropriate prosecutor’s office. (PNA)

[Mike J]

Interesting how they continue to use the human trafficking line and "rescue" of the adult employees.   Some kind of legal excuse or justification for the raid?

[OnMyWay]

4 minutes ago, Mike J said:

Interesting how they continue to use the human trafficking line and "rescue" of the adult employees.   Some kind of legal excuse or justification for the raid?

I think there are stories about POGO employees who are basically enslaved, so I think they take that angle with all of them.  When they hold the passports, etc., they have a grip on them, even if they are allowed to go out shopping, etc.

In this case, I know neighbors and they said they never saw people there.  So there were basically 20 odd people staying inside all day, working, sleeping and eating.

We looked at that house when we were looking for a temporary rental, and I know someone who rented there previously.

[Mike J]

3 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

I think there are stories about POGO employees who are basically enslaved, so I think they take that angle with all of them.  When they hold the passports, etc., they have a grip on them, even if they are allowed to go out shopping, etc.

In this case, I know neighbors and they said they never saw people there.  So there were basically 20 odd people staying inside all day, working, sleeping and eating.

We looked at that house when we were looking for a temporary rental, and I know someone who rented there previously.

So more like slaves or indentured servants than employees. 

[OnMyWay]

14 minutes ago, Mike J said:

indentured servants

That's the term that popped into my head.

[craftbeerlover]

37 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

POGO employees who are basically enslaved

this type of "employment" is more widespread in Asian countries than what one may realize.  I witnessed it first hand in Korea, Japan, and Malaysia.  And I know from word of mouth it happens in the middle east as well.  

 

1 hour ago, OnMyWay said:

serious about weeding out illegal POGO operations.  I think the Feds are embarrassed about the Guo case

Being in the one of the 'hornets nests' here in Pampanga, I absolutely agree they are serious about weeding out POGO.  Started before the Guo case, but I am sure that added fuel to the fire.  Good riddance!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[scott h]

59 minutes ago, OnMyWay said:

Bribing the locals ain't going to cut it anymore

Or they will not be quite as brazen about it. Or perhaps just trying to boot out the foreign ownership and keep it strickly a "Pinoy" thing.

3 minutes ago, craftbeerlover said:

'hornets nests'

Here is why I have my antennae up. Bear with me, no brief way to put this. We had tons of POGOs in our area, literally tons. Those white Hilux transport vans were almost as common as Jeeps. A local subdivision was awash with houses used as dorms (one of our part time maids had a job as a cleaning woman for one) one of our smaller local Barangays got the nickname "little China" because of all the eateries and stores (all labeled in Chinese characters), Chinese guys with their Filipino "partners" were making insane offers for property, 3 high-rise modern apartment/condo buildings were started. 1 finished, 1 completely abandoned and 1 slowly, very slowly being worked on. On my daily walks I would see almost as many Chinese folks as Filipino folks out on the streets.

After the pandemic and when the heat started up they started slowly close down. I could tell, resturants started to close down, I even saw literally hundreds of the black, roll around office chairs lined up on sidewalks for sale. The white vans have all but disappeared. 

BUT THEN, we had a well-known (actually world known) adult KTV/massage establishment supposedly owned (or at least protected) by a local dynasty. In fact the rumor is (as my wife was overly fond of reminding me every time we drove by) that a local politician got an STD there .

Well to make a long story longer , the KTV shutdown during the pandemic never to reopen. After the pandemic a huge remodeling project started there. When I talked to the construction workers about what was being built all I got was the word "POGO". Upon completion, the building is completely walled off, and security guards dressed in all black (not the normal White shirt guys at SM) at all the entrances. I do not see any Chinese going in or out there, but I have seen pretty young Filipino ladies dressed like casino Pai Goa dealers getting lunch or snacks at the 7-11 next door as well as other employees with those ID badges around their necks.

I have not seen any signs of the place shutting down as per the Presidential order. So, if it is a POGO (or IGL's as they are known now) either Pinoy owned will be allowed to stay, or these guys have friends somewhere. Time will tell I suppose.

[OnMyWay]

2 hours ago, scott h said:

I have not seen any signs of the place shutting down as per the Presidential order. So, if it is a POGO (or IGL's as they are known now) either Pinoy owned will be allowed to stay, or these guys have friends somewhere. Time will tell I suppose.

It's possible that the new place has a PAGCOR license, and is legal.  I don't really understand it all, but I was told that some can be legal.

According to this report, the last big legal POGO here was shut down.  Tele Empire renovated a big hotel and was operating there several years.  It is literally next door to the SBMA head office.  So now, any POGO activity here would be illegal.

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/no-pogos-in-subic-exec

CLARK FREEPORT—An official from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) assured that there are no Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the Freeport.

“Definitely, wala na po,” said SBMA Deputy Administrator John Aquino.

Aquino, along with SBMA Communications Head Armie Llamas and SBMA Seaport Manager Jerome Martinez, were guests at Pampanga Press Club’s KapiHann at Hann Resorts’ Swissotel on on Wednesday, July 10.

“The last one we had was closed days after the Bamban and Porac incidents,” he added.

Aquino said the last Pogo in SBMA, Tele Empire, was shut down by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

“Pagcor has revoked their license and consequent to that, they were advised to pre-terminate their contract of lease with their sub-lessor, and then a cease and desist order was issued,” he said.

The SBMA deputy administrator also shared that prior to the pandemic, several Pogos were operating inside SBMA.

But during the pandemic, Chinese employees returned to China and there were Pogos closed.

“Tele Empire was the last operating Pogo and unfortunately because of developments with respect to operations of Pogo, they were eventually asked to close down,” Aquino said.

SBMA is the operating and implementing arm of the national government for the development of the 670 square kilometer area of Subic Bay Freeport into a self-sustaining tourism, industrial, commercial, financial, and investment center to generate employment opportunities. This area was the former US Naval facility in Subic Bay.

[longway]

Gambling sites run online are not allowed in China, Illegal with harsh penalties.  So the Philippine govt allowed them to set up shop here for financial incentives in return for permission. China did not want them because of the crime following them so now we can see clearly why the Chinese were correct to forbid them. I am not a fan of China but they had this one right.

[scott h]

19 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

It's possible that the new place has a PAGCOR license, and is legal.

You are probably right, I sure hope your right. I just had a thought. One of the malls where we do are grocery shopping now has the headquarters of PAGOR there (ironically, they moved into a large office space that was vacated by a POGO). I keep running into employees in the smoking area. Next time I am there I will try to edge in a question.

20 hours ago, OnMyWay said:

but I was told that some can be legal.

It says something though, that when faced with something like this the first thought is "corruption and collusion". I guess I am turning Filipino