Davao Norte town execs ask House quad comm to probe newly-found Pogo
DAVAO CITY — Vice Mayor Gregorio “Banjong” Dujali III of Panabo, Davao del Norte called on the quad committee of the House of Representatives (HR) to include in their investigation the recently discovered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) at Purok 6, Manay village of the city.
Dujali said as presiding officer of the city council, he would help pass a resolution asking the quad committee in the Lower House to include the recently discovered Pogo operations which had caused a stir among city officials.
Around 2 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrived to rescue a Malaysian allegedly held illegally inside the Purok 6 warehouse, but found instead the suspected Pogo operation with 55 Chinese, three Malaysians, and a Filipina.
Lawyer Archie Albao, regional director of the NBI Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (Semro), said cases were being filed against the Pogo workers even as the NBI investigated how the Pogo came to operate in Davao del Norte.
“We condemn the illegal activities. Pogo has already been banned in the country, hence, its operation is illegal,” said Dujali. “This is a very serious matter. It’s a very big warehouse but we still have to investigate who approved the business permit,” he added.
The NBI report said the warehouse was rented by Chinese nationals for an “unknown purpose,” since there was no business operating in the area.
Article continues after this advertisementDujali said he also wanted to clarify the media report that some local officials were involved. “I want it investigated. My intention is to clarify, to shed light because it’s an embarrassment if government officials are involved.,” said the vice mayor. “If it’s true that government officials are involved, then they have lots of money that they could possibly use in next year’s elections,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementMayor Jose Relampagos also said in a separate statement that suspected operators had been running the operation for four months before its discovery.
The NBI raid happened with the help of the barangay captains of Manay and New Malitbog. “Pogos bring along with them illegal activities, including financial crimes, labor exploitation, and even in some cases, the spread of the operations of underground syndicates,” the mayor said in a statement in Cebuano.
“This has not only violated our laws, it also put our health and safety in danger. I laud the NBI, the police, and barangay officials for their quick action,” Relampagos said.
Relampagos also lauded the NBI for discovering the Pogo even as he welcomed the investigation. His executive secretary also told the Inquirer by phone that the operation had no permit from the mayor or the local government. INQ
