Manila: The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has distanced itself from an anti-POGO police operation conducted at the Century Peak Tower in Ermita, Manila, on October 29. The PAOCC labeled the operation as ‘flawed’ due to the reported release of foreign suspects.
According to Philippines News Agency, the operation was led by the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) at the 40-story Century Peak Tower, a location believed to employ individuals from previously closed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs. Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna was informed of the raid during its execution, but the PAOCC stated it was neither consulted nor involved.
The PAOCC issued a statement early Saturday disassociating itself from the raid, which was conducted by the PNP National Capital Region Police Office and the PNP ACG. The commission emphasized that it never releases foreign nationals apprehended in POGO operations and requested not to be linked to such flawed operations.
The c
ommission stressed that its operations are coordinated with the Department of Justice’s Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI). It also clarified that they had not labeled the raided POGO as the ‘mother of all POGOs’ and would not comment further on the investigation.
The Century Peak Tower operation occurred two days before the PAOCC, led by Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, along with the PNP Special Action Force and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, raided Central One Bataan PH, Inc. in Bagac, Bataan, under a search warrant from a Malolos, Bulacan court. PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio noted that while Central One was licensed as a business process outsourcing firm, evidence suggested involvement in illegal online gambling and cryptocurrency scams.
Conversely, the PNP-ACG reported that the Manila raid was coordinated with the Manila Police District – District Mobile Force Battalion, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Philippine Amusement and Gam
ing Corporation. The operation resulted in the custody of 69 individuals, including Indonesians, Malaysians, and Chinese nationals, with allegations of involvement in cryptocurrency and romance scams.
The Bureau of Immigration stated its ongoing communication with the PNP to facilitate the turnover process of the arrested individuals, pending necessary documentation and identity verification.
Mayor Lacuna insisted that the Century Peak Tower hub should begin winding down its operations. She suggested notifying building owners and employees about the termination of rental agreements and employment contracts, respectively. She also mentioned that Manila’s Public Employment Service Office could help displaced Filipino workers find new employment opportunities.
Lacuna expressed her support for President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to shut down all POGOs by December 31. Casio highlighted that intelligence reports indicate 111 illegal POGO hubs are still in operation.
