Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Friday, June 7 vowed to also look into the reported “leakage” that marred authorities’ operation against a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) company in Pampanga.

“Nagpupugay ako sa Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) sa kanilang pagpupursige sa pag-raid ng mga iligal na POGO. Napakarami pa naming nakukuhang reports kung saan naghahasik ng lagim ang mga POGO. Tiwala ako na mareraid at mahuhuli din ang mga nasa likod nito (I laud the PAOCC for their pursuit in raiding illegal POGO companies. We have received more reports where these POGOs are wreaking havoc. I trust that those behind this would also be raided and arrested eventually),” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“Dahil sa mga raid, nailalantad ang mga paulit-ulit at karumal-dumal na krimen na dala ng POGO, tulad ng scamming, torture, at human trafficking na natagpuan dito sa Pampanga (Because of the raids, repeated and heinous crimes carried by POGO, such as scamming, torture, and human trafficking found here in Pampanga, are exposed),” she said.

“Indeed, wherever there is POGO, there is crime,” added the senator.

It is unfortunate, however, that there seemed to be a leak prior to the operation, Hontiveros said. 

“May mga Chinese umano na pinatakas bago pa makarating ang PAOCC sa lugar. We will get to the bottom of who is accountable (Some Chinese were said to have fled before the PAOCC arrived in the area. We will get to the bottom of who is accountable),” she said.

“Sinumang nakikipagsabwatan sa mga sindikatong Chinese ay mananagot (Anyone who conspires with Chinese syndicates will be held accountable),” added the lawmaker.

“Our Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality will ensure that victim-survivors of abuse and exploitation will get the justice they deserve,” she said.

It is Hontiveros’ women’s panel that is currently investigating Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s links with POGO operators in her town which authorities earlier raided. 

The panel has also delved into the crimes committed by these POGO owners in light of the reported cases of torture and sex trafficking videos said to be taken within these POGO premises.

Senators have also zeroed in on Guo’s questionable citizenship, noting that she has yet to prove she is a Filipino as she claims.