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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian tells Pagcor: Some raided POGOs are licensed

Gatchalian tells Pagcor: Some raided POGOs are licensed

Published Jun 18, 2024 09:06 am

At A Glance

  • Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has pointed out to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) that some of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) recently raided by authorities were licensed under them.
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Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (File photo)

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has pointed out to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) that some of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) recently raided by authorities were licensed under them.

Gatchalian’s remark came after Pagcor claimed that the POGOs--now referred to as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs)--being raided by authorities were 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 Feb. 1, 2023. 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,” an irked Gatchalian said.

Citing official records provided by Pagcor, Gatchalian also noted 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 the senator. 

He added 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 (Those who do not have licenses are using those who are licensed to allow foreign nationals who commit crimes to enter the Philippines. When you have a license with Pagcor, you will also be issued an Alien Employment Permit from DOLE as well as an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card from the 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. (It seems Pagcor is acting like Mayor Alice Guo and cannot remember that some of the POGOs raided were licensed by them) 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 (That's why POGOs are running rampant in the country, it's because Pagcor may have removed the license of some but they failed to cancel their employment permit, failed to monitor them, and failed to implement proper regulation. It's business as usual for POGOs in the country),” he said.

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