Raided BPO company denies it is a POGO hub

MANILA, Philippines — Over a week after it was raided by law enforcement agents, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company broke its silence and vowed to clear its name from allegations by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) that it is involved in illegal activities.

In a statement, Central One Bataan PH Inc. vehemently denied the “malicious” allegations by the PAOCC, particularly by the commission’s former spokesman Winston John Casio.

He asserted that the BPO is involved in illicit activities such as black market banking or underground banking, cryptocurrency investment scams, love scams, cyber scams and online gambling operations.

Central One pointed out it has been over a week since the Oct. 31 raid on its compound in Brgy. Parang in Bagac but the PAOCC has yet to file criminal complaints against the company and any of its officers.

“Instead, Central One’s employees are rallying behind the legitimacy of the company’s operations and the lack of need to be rescued,” it said in a statement.

It added that it will exhaust all legal remedies to protect and clear its name from what it described as “fabricated and baseless claims” made by Casio.

The BPO company is willing to secure additional licenses that may be required by the government so that it can reopen and provide employment to its 1,600 employees, who had been out of work since the raid.

Casio, who remains suspended, was embroiled in a controversy after he was caught on closed-circuit television footage slapping an employee of Central One thrice for allegedly giving a “dirty finger” sign to government agents.

News networks also showed videos wherein Casio was seen and heard threatening employees of the BPO that he would hold them for several days. Ironically, he described the workers as “rescued victims.”

There is no word yet on whether Casio’s victim will pursue criminal charges against him.

PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said they have found pieces of evidence showing Central One is involved in illegal activities.

He also revealed that an Indonesian national who amassed 900 billion rupees or about P3.3 billion in online scams was among the 42 foreigners who were apprehended from the BPO, which they suspect is an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firm.

He identified the suspect as Handoyo Salman, a resident of Jakarta and allegedly working at Central One as an IT expert.

An investigation is ongoing to determine how Salman ended up in the country and working in Central One.

Cruz said they are coordinating with their counterparts in Indonesia.

“This is a huge catch. He is a high-value personality when it comes to money laundering in the country,” Cruz said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay news forum on Wednesday.