Philippine senator demands investigation into connections between local mayor and POGO operations.

Questions have arisen regarding the connection of a Philippine mayor to two recently raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) within the municipality.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to conduct a thorough investigation into potential ties between Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and a Tarlac-based Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO). Gatchalian referred to documents obtained by his office suggesting Guo’s involvement in POGO-related activities, which have drawn attention due to raids prompted by complaints of human trafficking and serious illegal detention.

Among these documents is a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution from September 2020, approving Guo’s application, then a private citizen, for a license to operate Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. This establishment, raided in February 2023 and later identified as Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., was the site of the recent raid.

Furthermore, a vehicle list recovered from Zun Yuan Tech includes a Ford Expedition registered under Guo’s name, confirmed by the local Land Transportation Office (LTO). Additionally, an electricity bill exceeding PHP15.111 million from a local supplier, addressed to the mayor and covering September 2023 to February 2024, was discovered at the Zuan Yuan Technology premises.

Emphasizing the importance of local government officials prioritizing crime prevention and refraining from involvement in dubious enterprises like POGOs, Gatchalian, himself a former mayor, has highlighted the matter.

The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means has introduced a resolution to initiate an inquiry, aimed at legislation, into allegations of human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and instances of physical abuse and torture at the Zun Yuan premises in Bamban, Tarlac.

There should be a clear delineation between government officials and private companies especially those related to online gaming. Transparency is very important to build trust and proper governance.

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