Senator Win Gatchalian expressed condemnation over the failure of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to properly supervise a licensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), now referred to as Internet Gaming Licensee (IGL), in Tarlac found to be involved in various criminal activities, including human trafficking and serious illegal detention.
“The failure of concerned government agencies, such as PAGCOR, to stop these large-scale criminal syndicates in the country continues to undermine and pose a threat to the country’s safety and security,” Gatchalian said, as he filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 977 which seeks to investigate the latest police raid on a POGO facility in Tarlac.
The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means noted that the March 13 raid conducted on the premises of Zuan Yuan Technology, Incorporated, located in Bamban, Tarlac was the second raid to be undertaken at the same site, previously known as the place of operation of Hongsheng Gaming Technology Inc., also a licensed POGO operator / IGL.
Conducted in February last year, the raid against Hongsheng was undertaken on the basis of a search warrant due to reports of a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scam under the guise of a legitimate POGO operation. On the other hand, the March 13 raid was based on search and seizure warrants following complaints of physical injuries and serious illegal detention against some personnel of Zun Yuan Tech.
“Either PAGCOR has turned a blind eye or is plainly and simply incompetent. Either way, the raids in February 2023 and March 2024 prove that PAGCOR is unfit and incapable of properly supervising POGOs,” said Gatchalian, pointing out that the agency even maintains an office on the second floor of a building in the Zuan Yuan compound where PAGCOR staff are stationed 24/7.
Based on the new Internet Gaming Licensing Regulations issued by PAGCOR, which took effect on July 12, 2023, one of the qualifications for eligibility as an internet gaming licensee should be having a good reputation and must not be associated with any person who lacks a good reputation.
Authorities also revealed that while Zuan Yuan itself is a PAGCOR licensee, none of its employees rescued during the recent raid carry an offshore gaming employee license (OGEL), a requirement set by PAGCOR for all POGO/IGL operations in the country.
“Overhauling rules governing POGOs or IGLs remains futile because PAGCOR is unable to implement its own rules and industry players continue to be embroiled in criminal activities,” Gatchalian said.
