MANILA – Some Filipinos from the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs are now also trying to run their own scam operations, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said.
According to PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio, they learned that the Filipinos opted to continue the scam operations due to the huge sum of money they earned.
“Ito na nga ang nakikita natin. May mangilan-ngilan nang (Pilipino ang) sumusubok,” Casio said in an interview with DZBB AM radio. “Ang tanong: bakit? Kasi napakalaki ho ng pera.”
“Mga beterano po ‘yun (mga nagtatayo) na nanggaling doon sa mga na-raid na pong mga illegal na pasugalan at sa mga online scam hubs natin na tinatawag,” he added.
“Na-realize na po ng Commission ‘yan. Napag-usapan na ng mga direktor ‘yan at napresenta na po namin kay Executive Secretary na darating ang panahon na itong mga Pilipino, matututo at matututo, makakaipon ng sapat na pondo, lakas ng loob, network, koneksyon, at sila na ang magsisimula,” he further said.
Casio further said that authorities found that Filipinos were among the newly-hired personnel from the POGO hub they raided in Pasay City last week.
“Nung ininterview ko ‘yung mga Pilipino, kailan ka na-hire? Three days ago. Kelan ka na-hire? Four weeks ago. Ikaw, anong ginagawa mo doon? I was there for an interview,” Casio said.
During his 3rd State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the country. He instructed PAGCOR to cease all operations of POGOs by the end of the year.
Foreign workers of POGO hubs are given until October 15 to voluntarily downgrade their visas. The Department of Justice said that the 9G visas of these workers will be downgraded to tourist visas starting October 16./PN
