What was once a crime scene for torture, human and sex trafficking, kidnapping, and scamming activities while disguised as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub could be turned into government buildings and schools.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said raided POGO facilities, under the law, could be turned into something legal and useful.
But how?
Cruz explained during a Pre-SONA interview, that it will become possible through forfeiture.
The raided facilities, including the seized vehicles, are currently under civil and criminal forfeiture which will later be turned over to the government.
"Iyong lima na ni-raid natin na malalaking POGO hubs, lahat iyan ay ipinu-forfeit natin iyong mga buildings, iyong mga sasakyan (Five of the big raided POGO hubs, all of them, including the buildings and the vehicles, are now being forfeited), Cruz said over PTV on Friday, July 12.
The PAOCC official disclosed that one of the raided POGO buildings in Pasay City is now being utilized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to house rescued victims.
One of the floors of the building is also currently used as an improvised cell for the arrested persons during the raid.
"[K]asi kulang ang Bureau of Immigration sa kulungan eh. So sabi ko, i-improvise natin itong 6th floor, gawin nating kulungan. So iyong mga huli natin, nandoon nakakulong ngayon (Because the Bureau of Immigration lacks jail facilities. So, I said let's improvise the 6th floor into a cell. The arrested individuals are detained there)," Cruz said.
The 10-hectare POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac may also be turned into a commercial center, which can also house different government offices, while the one in Porac, Pampanga can be a university and can house dormitories for students.
"Puwedeng eskuwelahan nga po iyan sa Porac, e (It's possible in Porac)," Cruz said referring to the raided POGO hub in Porac which could be turned into a school.
"May mga boarding house iyan. So, kung ano puwede mong itira diyan iyong mga estudyante (It also have boarding houses. So you can actually turn it into dormitories for students)," the official added.