THE Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Friday said the 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 observation while discussing the CentroPark site in Bagac town, 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, said, referring to the discovery of numerous mobile phones allegedly used for processing payments.
Casio said the raid resulted in the arrest of three Chinese nationals who allegedly posed as owners of POGOs in the facility.
Casio also five other foreigners remained at large and law enforcers were hot on their trail.
We have requested to the Bureau of Immigration for an alert status on 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 by virtue of a search warrant issued by a Bulacan court.
The PAOCC spearheaded the operation in collaboration with teams from the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Central Luzon police chief Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan supervised the police teams on the ground.
The authorities believed that the facility was 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 license to conduct online gambling from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “Raided Bataan facility may be involved in ‘black market banking’ — PAOCC.”
