Senator Win Gatchalian asserted that some Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), now referred to as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), raided by authorities held valid licenses from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
Gatchalian’s remark came after PAGCOR claimed that POGOs being raided by authorities are only those without licenses.
These include those raided last year such as Colorful and Leaf Group, a sublessee of PAGCOR-licensed CGC Technologies located in SunValley in Clark Pampanga; Smartweb Technology Corp.; and Rivendell in Pasay City. These were all involved in human trafficking, illegal detention, torture, various forms of online fraud and scamming, and prostitution, according to Gatchalian.
Hongsheng Gaming Technology and Zun Yuan Technology located in Bamban, Tarlac also had valid gaming licenses from PAGCOR at the time they were raided by authorities. The senator revealed that based on official documents, PAGCOR conducted an inspection on Hongsheng weeks before the raid on February 1, 2023, and inspection papers showed compliance with health and safety protocols. “What is even more baffling is that PAGCOR inspected Hongsheng on the same day it was raided,” Gatchalian said in frustration.
Citing official records provided by PAGCOR, Gatchalian also pointed out that Zun Yuan had a provisional license when it was raided. It was only on the same day that the regulating body canceled Zun Yuan’s provisional license, according to Gatchalian, adding that from March 1 to 10, 2024, PAGCOR even inspected Zun Yuan and found no irregularities during the time of inspection. Zun Yuan was raided on March 13.
“In the case of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc. in Porac, Pampanga, we have proof that this company is connected to Hongsheng which was licensed by PAGCOR. ‘Yung mga walang lisensya, ginagamit nila ang may lisensya para makapasok dito sa Pilipinas ang foreign nationals na gumagawa ng mga krimen. At ‘pag may lisensya ka na sa PAGCOR, mabibigyan ka na rin ng Alien Employment Permit mula sa DOLE pati na Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card mula sa Bureau of Immigration,” explained Gatchalian.
“Tila nahawa na yata ang PAGCOR kay Mayor Alice Guo at hindi na naalala na ‘yung ibang nare-raid na POGO ay lisensyado nila mismo. PAGCOR’s blatant failure to regulate the POGO industry has led us to a situation where POGOs have become a menace to our society,”,” the lawmaker stressed.
“Kaya naglipana ang mga POGO hanggang ngayon kasi tinatanggalan nga ng PAGCOR ng lisensiya ang ibang POGO pero ‘yung employment permit hindi naman kinakansela, hindi naman minomonitor, walang maayos na regulasyon. Kaya tuloy ang ligaya ng mga POGO sa bansa,” he concluded.
