Tarlac POGO vaults yield P6M
COLD cash amounting to nearly P6 million, passports, and other documents were found as police opened 11 vaults at the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub raided last month in Bamban, Tarlac, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Tuesday.
PAOCC Spokesperson Winston John R. Casio said the cash seized included P5.59 million, US$444, 20,000 Vietnamese dong, and HK$20 with 16 other vaults still unopened at Zun Yuan Technology Incorporated’s Baofu Compound.
On Monday, Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin instructed the Anti-Money Laundering Council to freeze and safeguard the whole property and the company’s other assets.
Meanwhile, Bamban Mayor Alice L. Guo denied all accusations of her aiding the company’s illegal operations. “Human trafficking, torture, and illegal detention are heinous crimes that I would never, ever tolerate, much less be involved in,” she said in a statement on Monday.
Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian had accused the mayor of connections with Zun Yuan after authorities who conducted the raid found documents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, electric cooperative, housekeeping, and manpower providers allegedly reflecting her name.
“I welcome any investigation carried out by the proper authorities at the proper forum. I am ready to answer all accusations and show that these allegations are false and unjust, should I be given the chance to do so at the proper forum,” Ms. Guo said.
A total of 868 POGO workers were rescued during the March 13 raid, among them 371 Filipinos, 427 Chinese, 57 Vietnamese, eight Malaysians, three Taiwanese, two Indonesians, and two Rwandans.
At least 60 vehicles, some of them luxury cars, were also confiscated. “All vehicles will be impounded. And all buildings will be in the custody of the PNP (Philippine National Police) as instructed by the court,” Mr. Casio told BusinessWorld in an iMessage on Tuesday. — Chloe Mari A. Hufana
