P12-M slot machines consigned to Fontana Casino confiscated

The Bureau of Customs has confiscated more than 1,000 slot machines consigned to Fontana Casino in Clark Field, Pampanga allegedly owned by controversial presidential ally Charlie "Atong" Ang.

The shipment, worth about P12 million, was seized by the Customs last September at the Manila South Harbor. It will be subsequently disposed of by the bureau’s Auction and Cargo Disposal Division.

The seized shipment consisted of 1,100 slot machines with the brand names Spectar, Reno, Triumph, Mikatsokogyo, Macy, Mizuho, Yamasako and Dero-dero Kozuo.

Customs collector Reynaldo Nicolas said they may either donate or sell the slot machines to the state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) which has the exclusive authority to import gambling devices and paraphernalia.

Nicolas said the slot machines cannot be sold at public auction because they are banned under Philippine law, and may be simply destroyed.

"Personally, I would recommend the sale of the items to Pagcor instead of merely destroying them," he said.

The slot machines were confiscated by port authorities because its purported importer failed to claim the shipment.

Fontana Casino general manager Leonardo Dayao has denied that his firm owned the machines. — Jerry Botial