POGO hub conversion into schools eyed

MANILA, Philippines —  The government is considering converting into schools the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac that were raided for illegal activities, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized  Crime Commission.

PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said the properties of Lucky South 99 and Zun Yuan Technology Inc. in Porac and Bamban, respectively, are subjects for forfeiture in favor of the government.

Cruz cited a raided POGO hub in Pasay City that was converted into a detention facility and rescue center.

The hub in Bamban was raided in March following reports of criminal activities including human trafficking and murder.

It is being linked to dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo who is accused of being a Chinese spy.

Lucky South 99 was raided by the PAOCC in June over similar criminal complaints.

PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio said 58 to 200 POGO hubs are still operating in the country.

In Cebu, 38 Chinese nationals were rounded up in a raid on a suspected POGO hub in Moalboal town on Wednesday.

Police seized several computers and gadgets from the hub that was housed in a resort villa in Barangay Saavedra, according to Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, Central Visayas police director.

Before the raid, police and local officials as well as members of the municipal fire station inspected the area. They said they spotted in the villa several foreigners who were later found to be undocumented.