The Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) has released a statement on Central One Bataan Ph Inc., a company registered in the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) in Bagac, Bataan.
The AFAB said that they regularly conduct inspections of businesses within the area in collaboration with other government agencies, to ensure compliance with established guidelines and conditions.
The AFAB also confirmed that it is aware of the coverage of news outlets indicating that Central One was the subject of a search warrant issued by the court and executed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
However, AFAB said it has not yet received official copies of the warrant or any related documents regarding the incident.
The AFAB stated that they will issue an official statement once they receive the necessary documents or after consulting with relevant government agencies.
Earlier, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) that the agency raided facility in the Bataan freeport zone might be involved in “black market banking,” calling its operations “unusual.”
In a radio interview, PAOCC Director Winston Casio made the comments while discussing the CentroPark site in Bagac, operated by Central One Bataan PH Incorporated, which raised alarms about potential engagement in illicit financial activities.
“We may be witnessing indications of underground banking practices here, which is not typical for a legitimate business,” he remarked on Radyo 630, referring to the discovery of numerous mobile phones allegedly used for processing payments.
Moreover, Casio shared that authorities conducting the raid were able to apprehend three Chinese nationals, who allegedly served as the owners of POGOs in the facility.
Casio also stated that five other foreigners remained at large and authorities were already on the lookout.
“We have requested to the Bureau of Immigration, where we sent a letter asking for an alert status for the foreign nationals who were not apprehended,” Casio said in Filipino.
The raid, conducted on Thursday with support from various law enforcement agencies, was executed under the authority of a search warrant issued by a Bulacan court.
Led by PAOCC along with units from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the operation at CentroPark in Bagac was carried out under a search warrant issued by a Bulacan court. Central Luzon Regional Police Office Chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan supervised police teams on the ground.
The facility, authorities said, was allegedly engaged in love scams, cyberscams, and online gambling, with dormitories and six buildings for various operations.
The establishment, registered under Central One Bataan PH Incorporated, was reportedly operating under a business permit from the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan but lacked the necessary license to conduct online gambling from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
