Right under our noses

I started my weekend expecting a typical day at home--lounging in casual clothes, watching television series, and enjoying a relaxing break. However, last Saturday took an unexpected turn. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) was conducting a raid on a garden resort in Cebu due to suspected illegal activities. I quickly made my way to Agus in Lapu-Lapu City to witness and document this rare operation. It turned out that our worst fears were true: a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operation was operating right under our noses.

When President Bongbong Marcos Jr. announced a nationwide ban on POGO operations, local officials were swift to assert that none existed within our jurisdiction. Yet, last Saturday’s raid revealed that fugitives from a botched operation in Pampanga had sought refuge in Cebu, evading detection and continuing their illegal activities. Their operation remained hidden until three Indonesians escaped their forced activities. I find myself grappling with numerous questions. How did these criminals arrive in Cebu? Did someone assist them in their evasion? Most pressing of all, how did they manage to continue scamming individuals so effectively? This situation suggests that we may have been lax in our vigilance.

Criminals adept at circumventing the law often employ strategies to avoid detection. They might arrive in batches or use deceptive methods to avoid drawing attention. Nonetheless, the fact remains that they succeeded in establishing an illegal operation. Authorities discovered computers and cellphones, likely used for their fraudulent activities. I can’t help but wonder how these individuals manage to sleep at night, knowing they stole hard-earned money from innocent people. Even more frustrating is the tendency within our culture to bow to foreign nationals, treating them as though they hold some superior status. We must remember that they are not in their own country.

These criminals should be deeply ashamed of their actions. Their behavior brings no honor to their home countries and tarnishes their reputation wherever they go. Their actions undermine any sense of solidarity within our Asian region. Our Bureau of Immigration needs to direct its efforts towards scrutinizing those entering the country, rather than focusing solely on those leaving. I recall a frustrating encounter with an Immigration officer during a vacation, where despite presenting all necessary documents, I faced undue difficulty. This experience highlighted a troubling aspect of Filipino culture: the tendency to undermine each other instead of addressing the core issues.

The PAOCC has indicated that reports of illegal POGO hubs still operating in Cebu have been received and that they are committed to tackling these. I urge our local officials and enforcement agencies to take proactive measures before a national body has to step in. It would be a significant embarrassment to have an external force clean up a mess within our own territory. Sometimes, the best approach is to inspect and address problems within our own backyard. We need to remain vigilant, as intruders may already be operating under our noses.