The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it can now hasten the implementation of search warrants following a cease-and-desist order issued by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) that effectively shut down the operation of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) which was raided in Las Piñas City last week.
Speaking to reporters in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday, PNP public information office chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan welcomed Pagcor’s move against Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc., which he said is proof that the fight against human trafficking and cybercrimes is a shared responsibility.
“It is the obligation and responsibility of all government agencies that are involved so that we can ensure that our POGO industry is not into different activities that we discover upon implementation of these search warrants,” Maranan said.
A total of 781 have been processed out of the 1,239 foreign workers found at the compound during the raid on June 27, he added.
Seven others with warrants of arrest were turned over to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) for repatriation.
“Right now, our coordination with the BI continues and we are grateful to them because of the all-out support, although it is
really their mandate to process foreign nationals,” Maranan said.
Maranan also said 71 out of 138 seized vaults have been opened as of Thursday as part of the inventory managed by the Anti-Cybercrime Group
and witnessed by representatives from the Anti-Money Laundering Council and Barangay Almanza Uno officials.
In a show cause order issued on July 2, PAGCOR ordered Xinchuang to explain in detail its defense against the allegations and why its
Certificate of Accreditation and Authority to Operate should not be canceled.
It also ordered the firm to cease and desist from all offshore gaming activities pending the completion of the investigation being conducted
by the PNP.
“We condemn all criminal activities that violate Philippine laws and human rights — regardless of nationality. As we have always said
before, PAGCOR will not hesitate to impose sanctions on erring licensees and accredited service providers. Similarly, we will continue to cooperate with our partner law enforcement agencies to ensure that responsible and regulated gaming is observed,” PAGCOR chairperson and chief executive officer Alejandro Tengco said in a statement.
