“HUWAG magpaloko, huwag magpagoyo!” (Don’t be deceived. Don’t be duped!)
This was the stern warning of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Alexander Balutan regarding the continued illegal operations of the “peryahan ng bayan” by Globaltech Mobile Online Corp.
Balutan stood firm that the peryahan is no longer recognized or authorized by PCSO.
“We respect the resolution of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on the case filed by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) against the arrested tellers of Globaltech, but we have stood our ground that the peryahan being operated by Globaltech is illegal. It’s a front of illegal numbers game jueteng,” Balutan said.
Balutan added that the PCSO together with law enforcement agencies such as the NBI will not be deterred by DOJ’s resolution from implementing crackdowns on peryahan operations nationwide.
On March 2, 2016, PCSO issued a Board Resolution 51 series of 2016, terminating the Deed of Authority of Globaltech to operate peryahan.
On Oct. 13, 2017, the Pasig City Regional Trial Court Branch 161 denied Globaltech’s motion for issuance of a writ of injunction.
“PCSO revenues have been adversely affected by the continued operation of illegal gambling which unfairly competes with our legal gaming products, particularly the Small Town Lottery (STL), and so the agency has to act by stopping the operations of Globalteach nationwide,” Balutan said.
“We are going all out to stop illegal gambling activities throughout the country, to protect our legal gaming products, particularly the STL,” he added.
Globaltech’s permit was terminated in 2016 due to supposed non-remittance of earnings worth about P100 million.
Last month, the NBI and PCSO representatives raided the office of Globaltech in Quezon City that resulted to the arrest of 57 people involved in the illegal activity. More operations conducted in Cebu and Mandaue with the arrest of 40 suspects.
All suspects were charged for violating Republic Act (RA) 9287, or an act to increase penalties against illegal numbers games.
Some of the suspects were also facing charges for violation of RA 10175, or the Cyber Crime Prevention Act.
DOJ prosecutors had dismissed the charges against the Quezon City suspects, citing an alleged “status quo ante” issued by a court./PN
