Latest news with #PhilippineOffshoreGamingOperators
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
100 Chinese ex-POGO workers deported to China
Some 100 Chinese individuals who worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were deported to China on Tuesday. According to Saleema Refran's report on Balitanghali, they were deported at around 10:40 a.m. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said China paid for the airfare of the deportees, with the goal of ensuring that they will not be able to escape. "Importante kasi sa kanila 'yan dahil marami silang nakukuhang impormasyon dito sa mga bosses kung paano sila nag o-operate, saan sila nag-o-operate, at anu-anong mga sistema sa money laundering ang ginagamit nila," PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said. (It's important to them because they get a lot of information from the bosses here. How they operate, where they operate, and what money laundering systems they use.) "Ang ayaw kasi nila siyempre 'yung hindi nakakarating sa China mismo 'yung mga boss nitong operation ng POGO," he added. (What they really don't want, of course, is for the bosses of these POGO operations to not arrive in China.) Once in China, the deportees will undergo investigation for scamming, cybercrime, fraud, and money laundering. Broken apart Meanwhile, the Filipino partners and spouses of the deportees were emotional when saying their goodbyes, including one who even brought their six-month child. "Sobrang sakit po kasi may anak po kami (It really hurts because we have a child)," one of the women said. The mother is already in contact with the deportee's family and China, and plans to follow him there with their daughter. The former workers were arrested during anti-POGO operations in Cebu, Cavite, Parañaque, and Pasay. They have been declared undesirable aliens due to lack of visas and work permits, and for working in illegal POGOs. Aside from these, they have also been blacklisted and can no longer return to the Philippines. President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the country effective July 22, 2024 after raids against illegal POGOs revealed equipment used for torture, love scams, and other crimes. Since the crackdown, some 4,000 former POGO workers have been arrested while 2,500 have been deported. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
10-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos looking into BI corruption allegations
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he is looking into the corruption allegations within the Bureau of Immigration. ''Well, of course, we're looking at it. But, you know, mahirap mapag-aralan nang mabuti kung white paper na hindi napirmahan at saka walang specifics. But nonetheless, everything like this, we look into it, and we will continue to do that,'' Marcos told reporters in an ambush interview. (But it's difficult to study a white paper carefully if it's not signed and doesn't have specifics.) Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado already denied corruption allegations in the bureau, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. In a press statement, Viado dismissed as 'patently false' the accusations purportedly contained in a letter sent by BI employees to the President last week, wherein they supposedly accused the BI chief of corruption. The BI employees — who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado —mentioned in the letter the alleged corrupt practices under the present BI leadership including the supposed mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Viado has dismissed the letter as part of a 'smear campaign.' He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the propaganda after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Senate approves anti-POGO bill on final reading
Senate Bill 2868, also known as the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, received 23 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions. The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. Senate Bill 2868, also known as the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, received 23 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and zero abstentions. It was authored by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Bong Go, Raffy Tulfo, Pia Cayetano, Grace Poe, and Risa Hontiveros. The bill declared offshore gaming operations in the Philippines as unlawful. It was approved on second reading last June 4. Under the bill, violators may face imprisonment of not less than six years to up to 12 years and be fined at least P300,000. The bill also states that if the violator is a public official or employee, the maximum penalty will be imposed. In 2024, authorities discovered some POGO hubs engaging in human trafficking and physical and sexual abuse. This includes POGO hubs in Bambam, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga. This led to the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also identified as Guo Hua Ping, for alleged involvement in the illegal activities of a POGO hub in her town. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
09-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
BI chief Viado denies corruption allegations
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado on Monday denied corruption allegations in the bureau, including the supposed mishandling of cases related to the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. In a press statement, Viado dismissed as 'patently false' the accusations purportedly contained in a letter sent by BI employees to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. last week, wherein they supposedly accused the BI chief of corruption. 'For the record, I unequivocally state that all the allegations contained in the alleged 'white paper' are patently false,' he said. 'Should any pertinent agency of the national government decide to look into the supposed 'allegations,' I reiterate the commitment of the Bureau to lend its fullest support,' he said. BI employees — who wished to remain anonymous due to concerns of retaliation from Viado — allegedly submitted a letter to the Office of the President (OP) to report the supposed corrupt practices under the present BI leadership including the mishandling of POGO-related cases and their deportation. Malacañang has yet to confirm receipt of the letter dated June 2 but a supposed copy of it showed that it was received by the OP on June 5, 2025. Viado dismissed the letter as part of a 'smear campaign.' He also accused a senior BI official of fueling the propaganda after the BI chief supposedly rejected his request to release a Chinese national linked to a powerful political figure from the previous administration. 'I was also told that my rejection of the plea by this person to release the said Chinese national may have fueled the smear campaign. I have disregarded these warnings because the mandate I accepted was never about protecting myself, but about cleaning up a system long plagued by abuse. If the price of reform is to be the target of black propaganda, then so be it,' he said. Viado warned of exposing the parties behind the alleged smear campaign in 'due time.' 'I have assured those who have expressed their concern over the threats from these interests that no amount of smear will stop us from continuing our efforts at reforms in the agency,' the BI chief said. 'It is unfortunate that these interests are using the name of the hardworking men and women of the bureau to mask themselves and their hideous agenda. I warn these parties in turn that they shall be exposed in due time. The public deserves the truth and the truth will stand,' he added. —Sundy Locus/AOL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
04-06-2025
- General
- GMA Network
Senate OKs anti-POGO bill on second reading
The Senate approved on second reading a bill banning Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country. Senate Bill 2868 or the Anti-POGO Bill, declared offshore gaming operations in the Philippines as unlawful. 'I look forward na ma adopt na ito ng Senado yung batas po at yung committee report, I really felt na ito ay one-two power punch against POGO,' said Senator Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality. Among the amendments in the measure are the Bureau of Immigration's mandate to deport foreign nationals directly back to their country. Meanwhile, maximum penalties were imposed on government officials found engaging in POGO-related activities. In 2024, authorities discovered some POGO hubs engaging in human trafficking and physical and sexual abuse. This includes POGO hubs in Bambam, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga. This led to the arrest of dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also identified as Guo Hua Ping, Guo, for alleged involvement in the illegal activities of a POGO hub in her town. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/LDF, GMA Integrated News
