Senator Sherwin Gatchalian during the weekly Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on May 29, 2024. INQUIRER.net file photo / NOY MORCOSO
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian bared on Thursday the possible influence of Chinese criminals on the judiciary following a raid of an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) in Pampanga.
Speaking to reporters, Gatchalian said initial information that the Pogo operator — Lucky South 99 – already had its license canceled, but it continued its operation nonetheless.
“Nahuli na ito dati, kinansela yung kanyang lisensya pero nagpatuloy pa rin siya sa pago-operate at ang mga information [na] nakuha ko itong Pogo meron siyang seating capacity of more than 1,000 agents so 1,000 na trabahador, pero nahuli lang ay 140 plus,” said Gatchalian.
(It has been previously raided and it had its license canceled, but it continued its operation. Information that we had showed that this Pogo hub has a seating capacity of more than 1,000 agents so there’s 1,000 employees, but only 140 plus were captured.)
READ: 7 more Filipinos rescued in Pampanga Pogo raid — PAOCC
“Because apparently nung nag-file ng search warrant ang Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, meron nagtip dito sa mga operators. So ang kutob ko dito hindi lang enforcement agency pati judiciary meron na silang mga tao,” he added.
(Because apparently when PAOCC filed a search warrant, its operators received a tip. So my hunch is that they have influence not only on enforcement agencies but also the Judiciary.)
Gatchalian, a firm believer that Pogos should be banned in the Philippines, emphasized that individuals behind these corporations know how to illegally deepen their ties.
Several senators have been urging President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to completely ban Pogos in the country, pointing out that these only “made the country a fertile ground for various crimes.”