『Philippines,Pilipinas,菲律宾』 10 anti-human trafficking, anti-scams, anti-cybercrime, love scam, POGOs 2024.6.13-9.4

菲律宾通讯社(菲律宾政府新闻机构)
DOJ: Alice Guo arrested in Jakarta
September 4, 2024, 9:11 am Updated on September 4, 2024, 11:44 am

MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday confirmed the arrest of former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, in Tangerang City, Jakarta, Indonesia.

In a statement, the DOJ said Guo was apprehended at 11:58 p.m. on Sept. 3, according to Senior Superintendent Audie Latuheru of the Indonesian Police.

“This development has been verified by our counterparts in Immigration, who have confirmed that Ms. Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian Police at Jatanras Mabes Polri,” the DOJ said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla welcomed the development, saying Guo’s arrest is a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement agencies and the strength of international cooperation in bringing fugitives to justice.

“We will ensure that all legal processes are followed to hold her accountable for any crimes committed. The DOJ is committed to pursuing justice and will continue to coordinate closely with Indonesian authorities to facilitate the necessary legal procedures,” he said.

Guo is facing complaints about her alleged involvement in the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country and questions about her citizenship.

Despite being the subject of an immigration lookout bulletin due to the ongoing investigations, Guo was able to leave the country last July 18.

Guo reportedly headed to Malaysia, arrived in Singapore on July 21, and traveled to Indonesia on Aug. 18.

Guo’s sister, Shiela, and business associate Cassandra Li Ong were earlier arrested in Indonesia and already sent back to the Philippines.

During the Senate Subcommittee on Justice and Human Rights hearing, Shiela admitted she left the country with the dismissed mayor by boat.

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is expecting the return of the dismissed mayor to the country anytime soon following her arrest in Indonesia.

“We have immediately forwarded the information to the Department of Justice and the Office of the Executive Secretary. The information has been confirmed by our immigration counterparts in Indonesia, and we are very happy with this development,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a statement.

The BI chief also believes Guo’s return to the Philippines will shed light on many questions about her illegal departure, as well as allow her to face the charges filed against her.

Guo is facing human trafficking and tax evasion charges filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the Bureau of Internal Revenue, respectively.

She is also facing a material misrepresentation case before the Commission on Elections for allegedly providing false information in her certificate of candidacy in the 2022 polls.

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司法部：郭华萍在雅加达被逮捕

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Fugitive ex-mayor from Philippines, Alice Guo, arrested in Indonesia

MANILA – Indonesia has arrested a fugitive former mayor from the Philippines accused of ties to Chinese criminal syndicates and money laundering to the tune of more than 100 million pesos (S$2.3 million), authorities in Manila said on Sept 4.

Alice Guo, also known as Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, is wanted by the Philippine Senate for refusing to appear before a congressional investigation into the alleged criminal ties.

Guo, who says she is a natural-born Philippine citizen, has denied the accusations, calling them “malicious”.

“Our counterparts in immigration… have confirmed that Ms Guo is currently in the custody of the Indonesian police,” the Philippine justice department said in a statement.

Guo was arrested close to midnight on Sept 3 in Tangerang city in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, Manila’s immigration bureau and anti-crime commission said in separate statements.

“The arm of the law is long, and it will reach you,” Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said, warning that efforts to escape justice would prove futile.

“The close cooperation between our two governments has made this arrest possible,” he added in a statement. “We’re already finalising the arrangements for the return of Alice Guo some time today.”

After her return, Guo, who cut her hair short in an attempt at disguise, will be handed to law enforcement and then the Senate, Mr Jaime Santiago, director of the National Bureau of Investigation, told a press conference.

Guo’s lawyer of record, Mr Stephen David, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Philippine law enforcement agencies, including the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), in August jointly filed multiple counts of money laundering against Guo and 35 others before the Department of Justice.

They accused Guo and her co-conspirators of having laundered criminal proceeds amounting to more than 100 million pesos.

Guo claimed to be a Philippine citizen when she ran for office, but her fingerprints were later found to match those of a Chinese national, Guo Hua Ping.

Removed from office as mayor of Bamban town in Tarlac province, Guo fled the country in July, travelling on her Philippine passport to neighbouring Malaysia and Singapore, before going to Indonesia in August, the anti-crime agency says.

The Senate launched an investigation in May after a casino raid in Bamban in March uncovered what law enforcement officials said were scams run from a facility built on land she partly owned.

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PNP aims to bring Alice Guo back to PH on Wednesday

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are targeting to bring dismissed Bamban Mayor Alice Guo back to the country on Wednesday, or just several hours after her arrest in Indonesia.

PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said national police chief General Rommel Marbil and Interior chief Benjamin Abalos Jr. want the former mayor, whose real name is Guo Hua Ping, to return to the country as soon as possible.

“The intention of the SILG and the chief PNP is, within the day, we can get the custody of Alice Guo,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.

Fajardo said Guo may be fetched by Marbil and Abalos themselves.

“We have two options, whether the police attache will escort [Guo] or it would be the SILG and the chief PNP who will travel to Indonesia to fetch Guo,” she said.

PNP will turn over Guo to the Senate sergeant-at-arms upon her expected return to the country as she is a subject of the upper chamber’s arrest warrant, according to Fajardo.

Guo was arrested by Indonesian authorities early Wednesday morning in a hotel in the capital Jakarta.

Sheila Guo, who was initially identified as Alice’s sister, and business associate Cassandra Li Ong were arrested last month and are now detained in the Senate and House of Representatives, respectively.

Sheila said she and Alice left the Philippines by boat.

The former mayor has been the subject of scrutiny over her alleged ties to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator firms in Bamban.

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Alice Guo expected to return to PH on Thursday or Friday: NBI
Published Sep 04, 2024 01:00 PM PHT Updated Sep 04, 2024 11:45 PM PHT

MANILA — Dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo is expected to return to the Philippines on Thursday or Friday following her arrest in Tangerang City, Indonesia.

According to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago, they are in close coordination with their Indonesian counterpart to facilitate the necessary legal procedures.

“Ibibigay naman sa’tin agad. Pupwedeng bukas, makalawa, maibalik na natin dito si Alice,” Santiago said

(They will give it to us right away. It could be tomorrow or the day after; we might be able to bring Alice back here.)

“Ididiretso muna sa BI for immigration violations and then ite-turnover sa’min. Kami namin ipa-process and kung anong criminal charges ang maisampa namin sa kanya,” he added.

(She will be brought directly to the Bureau of Immigration for immigration violations and then turned over to us. We will handle the processing of criminal charges we filed against her.)

The NBI has filed several charges against Guo, including 87 counts of money laundering charges before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Santiago believes that Guo remained in hiding at a single location to evade authorities. She also cut her hair to conceal her identity.

“Tingin natin nag stay sa isang lugar at hindi talaga lumalabas doon kasi kapag lumabas siya, alerted ang buong Indonesian police, including our agents are all alert,” Santiago said.

(We believe she stayed in one place and didn’t really go out because if she did, the entire Indonesian police force, along with our agents, would have been on high alert.)

“Meron nang lumabas, nai-share ang Indonesian police na talagang maiksi na ang buhok niya, nagpaputol ng buhok to conceal her identity,” he added.

(There is information that has come out, shared by the Indonesian police, confirming that she has indeed cut her hair short to conceal her identity.)
Santiago also mentioned that Guo was captured alone, without her brother Wesley Guo, who is also being sought.

Guo is expected to appear before the Senate, which has been waiting for her return since it issued an arrest warrant on July 13 for her failure to attend hearings about Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities in her municipality.

The Bureau of Immigration shared a photo grabbed from a CCTV footage that showed Guo walking inside an Indonesian airport where she was accompanied by an alleged official of the Lucky South 99, a POGO hub that was raided for alleged crimes, including torture.

“Allegedly ang nasa photo ay si Mayor Alice Guo kasunod nya ang isang naka shorts na lalaki at ibang indibidwal kasi alam natin na meron tumutulong sa kanya sa pannanatili niya sa Indonesia,” said Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval.

(Allegedly, the one in the photo was Mayor Alice Guo and she was being followed closely by a man in short pants and several other individuals, because we know she was receiving help to be able to stay in Indonesia.)

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菲律賓司法部：涉詐騙案前華裔市長郭華萍已在印尼雅加達的唐格朗市（Tangerang City）被捕

菲律賓司法部9月4日發聲明指，涉嫌通過網上賭場洗黑錢及詐騙的前華裔女市長郭華萍（Alice Guo）已在印尼被捕。

路透社引述菲律賓司法部的聲明報道，印尼移民局官員的證實郭華萍被捕的消息，確認她目前正被印尼警方拘留。

根據聲明，郭華萍3日接近午夜時分在印尼雅加達的唐格朗市（Tangerang City）被捕。

郭華萍因為拒絕出席一項針對她被控涉嫌犯罪的國會調查，遭到菲律賓參議院通緝。她否認這些指控，並堅稱自己是遭到「惡意指控」的土生土長的菲律賓公民。

包括菲律賓反洗錢委員會（Anti-Money Laundering Council, AMLC）在內的菲律賓執法機構，8月30日聯合司法部向郭華萍和另外35人提出數項洗錢指控。

反洗錢委員會指控郭華萍和她的共謀者，對超過1億披索（約1379萬港元）的犯罪活動所得進行洗錢。

Philippine authorities detain more than 160 people over suspected cybercrime operation

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Philippine authorities raided a suspected illegal online gaming and cyberscam complex in a central province and took into custody more than 160 people — mostly Chinese and Indonesians — who were committing internet-based crimes, officials said Sunday.

The raid on Saturday by more than 100 government agents, backed by military intelligence, on a resort compound in Lapu-Lapu city was part of an ongoing crackdown after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a ban in July on widespread — and mostly Chinese-run — online gaming operations that cater mostly to clients in China, where illegal gambling is banned.

Marcos said then that the massive illegal gambling operations have ignored Philippine laws with largescale violations of regulations and also committed other crimes, including financial scams, human trafficking, torture, kidnappings and murder.

The raid at the Tourist Garden Resort, which has 10 buildings with swimming pools, karaoke bars and restaurants, came after the Indonesian Embassy in Manila requested the rescue of eight Indonesians who were reportedly forced to work in the online gaming hub, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.

At least 162 foreign nationals “were found working in three separate scam farms within the compound,” the commission said without elaborating. Such crimes include fraudulent love, gaming and investment schemes online that have defrauded victims of large amounts of money, according to Philippine officials.

The 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, 6 Myanmar nationals, 2 Taiwanese and a Malaysian will be flown to Manila to face an investigation by the Bureau of Immigration and possible deportation, it added.

The owner of the hotel compound was arrested and could face criminal complaints, including for harboring illegally staying foreigners, the commission and immigration officials said.

“We will suggest to the authorities to file cases against resort owners who allow their properties to be used by illegal aliens in their covert operations,” Tansingco said. “This will serve as a warning to those who might attempt to start illegal online gambling operations.”

Marcos’s move to ban the Chinese-run online gambling outfits — estimated to number more than 400 across the Philippines and believed to be employing tens of thousands of Chinese and Southeast Asian nationals — was welcomed by Beijing.

It has led to the shutdown of several sprawling complexes where authorities suspect thousands of Chinese, Vietnamese, Indonesians and others mostly from Southeast Asia have been illegally recruited and forced to work in oppressive conditions.

Philippine authorities have also been tracking down a dismissed mayor of a small town in Tarlac province north of Manila, Alice Guo, who apparently left the country in July after the Philippine Senate ordered her arrest after she failed to appear at public hearings where allegations against her were being investigated, including her alleged links to a large online gambling complex near the town hall.

She has also been accused of fraudulently hiding her Chinese nationality to be able to run for a public office that is reserved for Filipino citizens.

Guo, who is believed to be hiding in Indonesia, has denied any wrongdoing but has been dismissed from her post for grave misconduct by the Ombudsman, an agency that investigates and prosecutes government officials accused of crimes, including graft and corruption.

Philippine senators say the massive online gambling industry has flourished across the country largely due to corruption in government regulatory agencies and big payoffs to officials.

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菲律宾捣破网赌诈骗大本营 捕逾百人 包括1大马人
菲律宾执法人员周六下午在拉普拉普市巴朗盖阿古斯的一家酒店突袭了一个据称是海外博彩中心的度假村，逮捕了逾百名嫌犯，并救出了一些外国人。

（马尼拉1日美联电）菲律宾官员星期日表示，当局在中部省份突击搜查了一个涉嫌非法网络赌博和诈骗的大本营，并拘留了160多名从事网络犯罪的人，其中包括1名大马人，而嫌犯多为中国人和印尼人。

在军事情报机构的支持下，100多名政府特工周六突袭了位于宿务拉普拉普市的一个度假村。

菲律宾总统反有组织犯罪委员会表示，此次突袭是在印尼驻马尼拉大使馆请求救援8名被迫在这家网赌中心工作的印尼人之后展开的。该度假村有10栋建筑，设有游泳池、卡拉OK厅和餐厅。

该委员会表示，至少有162名外国人“被发现在大院内的三个不同的诈骗中心工作”，但没有详细说明。据菲律宾官员称，此类犯罪包括网恋诈骗、网络赌博和投资诈骗。

83名中国人、70名印尼人、6名缅甸人、2名台湾人和1名大马人将被送往马尼拉，接受移民局的调查，并可能被驱逐出境。

该委员会和移民官员表示，该度假村业主已被逮捕，可能面临刑事指控，包括窝藏非法居留的外国人。

移民局局长谭兴科指出：“我们将建议当局对那些允许非法外国人在其秘密行动中使用其财产的度假村所有者提起诉讼。这将对那些可能试图开展非法在线赌博业务的人起到杀鸡儆猴的作用。”

菲律宾总统小马可斯下令封杀中国在线博彩公司，此举受到了中方的欢迎。据估计，这些机构在菲律宾全国有400多家，据信雇佣了数万名中国和东南亚公民。

当局怀疑，数千名中国人、越南人、印尼人和其他主要来自东南亚的人被非法招募，并被迫在压迫性的条件下工作。

(The Philippine News Agency pna.gov.ph)
Guo, 35 others charged with money laundering before DOJ
By Benjamin Pulta
August 30, 2024, 7:27 pm

EVIDENCE. Justice Undersecretary Hermogenes Andres shows part of the evidence against former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo that was presented before the Department of Justice on Friday (Aug. 30, 2024). Guo and 35 others were charged with 87 counts of money laundering involving PHP7 billion in assets of the “scam farm” operations in Central Luzon. (PNA photo by Ben Pulta)

MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Friday filed 87 counts of money laundering charges against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo and 35 others before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The charges involved an estimated PHP7 billion in assets of the so-called scam farm operations in Central Luzon.

Among those charged for violation of Republic Act 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001, were Cassandra Ong and Alice’s supposed sibling, Shiela, as well as officials of QSeed Genetics, Zun Yuan Technology Inc., Hongshen Gaming Technology Inc., QJJ Farms, and Baofu Land Development Inc.

“The respondents, through their individual or collective conspiratorial acts, evidently transacted the money or money instruments representing the proceeds of the unlawful activities involving human trafficking, securities regulation violation, and estafa/swindling,” the complaint said.

In a statement, AMLC Executive Director Matthew David said the filing is part of the council’s pursuit to “combat financial crimes and safeguard the integrity of the Philippine financial system.”

“The AMLC remains committed in its mission to ensure that the financial system is not exploited to further criminal enterprises,” he said.

Justice Undersecretary Hermogenes Andres said the filing of the charges “is an effective deterrent” against others who might want to similarly initiate “boiler room” fraud operations in the country.

Andres said the Philippine government has asked the International Police Organization (Interpol) for a blue notice that would oblige member countries to report Guo’s presence.

He added that a “red notice” would subsequently be sought by the Philippine government against Guo once the charges are filed in court.

Officials said Guo is still in Jakarta, Indonesia, based on the best information available.

Andres said more charges may be filed in the future in the ongoing investigations.

The charge sheet claimed Guo was the incorporator and president of BAOFU, QJJ, and QSEED, while she was mayor of Bamban, Tarlac.

Guo allegedly invited investors to Tarlac, including Zhang Ruijin and Baoying Lin who were convicted in a multi-billion money laundering case in Singapore, and Zhiyang Huang who is a fugitive in China and is facing charges in the Philippines involving a raid in 2023.

Guo allegedly claimed that she was the representative of Hongsheng and prompted the issuance of a Sangguniang Bayan (municipal council) resolution expressing no objection to the application of Hongsheng to operate.

She also claimed to be the owner/proponent of Baofu even after her alleged divestment of shares, and after the closure of Hongsheng, Guo facilitated the approval of a council resolution expressing no objection to the application of Zun Yuan to operate.

She allegedly layered the funds to QJJ Farms and QSEED Genetics to conceal the source in paying bills.

Witnesses included Chinese nationals who claim they were forced to work in exchange for PHP300,000 for their freedom.

Besides Guo, Shiela, and Ong, the other respondents include Guo’s father Jian Zhong Guo, also known as Angelito Guo and Angelito Dela Cruz; her mother Lin Wenyi, also known as Wen Yi Lin and Amelia Leal; and Seimen Guo.

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Money laundering case filed vs Alice Guo, 35 others
August 31, 2024

A lawyer carries one of several boxes containing the money laundering complaint against former Bamban mayor Alice Guo, Cassandra Li Ong and others. The Anti-Money Laundering Council, together with the Presidential Anti- Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation, indicted Guo and the others for 87 counts of money laundering at the Department of Justice in Manila yesterday.

MANILA, Philippines — Complaints for 87 counts of money laundering amounting to P7 billion were filed yesterday against dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo, her purported sister Shiela, business partner Cassandra Li Ong and 33 others.

The complaint was filed by the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the National Bureau of Investigation before the Department of Justice (DOJ) .

Other respondents include the sisters’ father Jian Zhong Guo, also known as Angelito Guo and Angelito dela Cruz; their mother Lin Wenyi, also known as Wen Yi Lin; Seimen Guo, Amelia Leal and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center deputy director general Dennis Cunanan.

According to AMLC deputy director Adrian Arpon, they found Alice Guo to be “the principal in the money laundering committed,” using several entities in transferring money.

Ultimately, the money ended up with the real estate company Baofu Land Corp., where Guo was a shareholder and which leased a property to the Hongsheng/Zun Yuan Technology, the Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) raided in Bamban over human trafficking and other alleged crimes.

In the 105-page complaint, the agencies alleged that the respondents collaborated in committing various crimes and other illegal activities and each of them played a significant role in the illegal POGO operations.

It also said the dozen businesses under Guo’s name were aimed to hide the true nature of their businesses and make it appear that they are engaged in legitimate activities.

“Alice Guo and her cohorts intended to create layers and layers of corporations to make it appear that they were engaged in profitable and legitimate businesses, but in fact, they are not,” the complaint read.

The complainants also said Guo never divested all of her shares in Baofu. The dismissed mayor also did not declare 12 vehicles in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth.

Guo, as the representative of Hongsheng, also allegedly facilitated the issuance of a Sangguniang Bayan Resolution which did not object to Hongsheng’s application to operate.

Moreover, she paid the bills of Baofu, Hongsheng and Zun Yuan despite lease contracts stipulating that lessees should shoulder the bills.

“The following circumstances would show the grand conspiracy between and among the incorporators, officers and other individuals involved in the commission of unlawful activities, such as qualified trafficking in persons, violation of Securities Regulations Code and swindling or estafa and, in turn, money laundering,” the complaint read.

Meanwhile, Ong was included in the money laundering complaint as a “silent partner” in the Bamban POGO as she was allegedly the one who contributed to the construction of the Baofu compound.

Ong is one of the incorporators of Whirlwind Corp. which leased a property to the POGO in Porac, Pampanga.

The company was also raided for various illicit activities, including human trafficking, forced labor and scams.

She has also been identified as a liaison between former presidential spokesman Harry Roque and Lucky South 99, where she served as a legal officer.

“The circumstances indicate that respondent Cassandra Li Ong employs the same scheme or pattern of illegal corporate layering as that used by Alice Guo and her family,” the complaint read.

Meanwhile, Shiela Guo was named as one of the respondents for allegedly being an incorporator in the many corporations of the Guo family.

According to PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio, the agencies believe the scamming proceeds from Lucky South 99, the POGO in Porac, were used to build the POGO hub in Bamban.

In the complaint, the complainants said it is “overly impossible” for Baofu to afford the construction of the buildings it leased to Zun Yuan and Hongsheng, which is worth hundreds of millions or even billions.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said they believe they have a “very strong and airtight case.”

“Of course, there will be due process afforded for all of these respondents for them to be given their opportunity to explain their side,” he said.

The AMLC’s investigation showed that Guo and her accomplices amassed over P101 million in illicit proceeds between June 2020 and January 2024. The funds, initially intended for Baofu’s electricity bills, were systematically laundered through illegal means.

“The money laundering case is part of a series of cases to be filed by the AMLC, in coordination with partner agencies, to ensure that the P{Philippines shall not eb used as money laundering site for the proceeds of any unlawful activities,” the AMLC said.

Meanwhile, the freeze order issued by the Court of Appeals against Guo and two others has been extended until January 2025, according to AMLC’s Arpon.

In July, the appellate court ordered the freezing of the bank accounts and personal assets of Guo, Zhiyang Huang and Baoying Lin for alleged involvement in illegal activities.

The AMLC said the freeze order covered 90 bank accounts in 14 financial institutions, several real estate properties and high-value personal properties like luxury vehicles and a helicopter.

Guo’s lawyer: No lies

The lawyer of Guo belied allegations that he made “untruthful statements” regarding the embattled official’s whereabouts.

Guo’s legal counsel Stephen David said yesterday he was only relying on what Guo told him: that she was still in the country, even as Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier revealed that the beleaguered mayor had fled as early as July.

“I was merely echoing her declaration that she is still in the country,” he said.

David, however, admitted that he could not confirm the information and had no idea where she was exactly.

He also explained that when he made the pronouncements, Guo had no travel records such as stamps of entry in another country, fingerprints or CCTV footage, giving him no reason to doubt the dismissed mayor’s statements.

He added that the notarization of Guo’s counter-affidavit further bolstered his belief that his client was still in the country, expressing confidence in the integrity of Elmer Galicia, the notary public who notarized the counter-affidavit.

David issued the statement after officials said cases might be filed against him because of his statements.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has said the DOJ will look into the possible involvement of Guo’s legal counsel in her exit from the country.

The department is also seeking to investigate Galicia for notarizing Guo’s counter-affidavit even though she did not personally appear to swear before him.

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Money laundering complaint filed vs. Alice Guo, others
Published August 30, 2024
A total of 87 counts of money laundering were filed against dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and 35 others at the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday about the raided POGO hubs in Bamban and Porac, Pampanga.

In a press conference, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Deputy Director Adrian Arpon said that the cases involved around P7 billion.

“We have included Alice Guo. Based on our findings, she is the principal in the money laundering committed in this case. She used several entities in transferring her money. It went to an entity,” Arpon said.

“Ultimately, it ended up with Baofu to pay, among others, electric bills,” he added.

The complainants are the AMLC, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

Named respondents are Guo; Shiela Guo, the former mayor’s purported sister; Cassandra Li Ong, the authorized representative of the Porac POGO hub; and former Technology and Livelihood Resource Center (TLRC) deputy director general Dennis Cunanan, among others.

GMA News Online has sought comment from some of the respondents but has yet to receive a response as of posting time.

“Kung bakit po kasama si Cassandra, Cassie Ong, doon sa money laundering, ‘yun ay dahil base sa imbestigasyon na ginawa ng NBI, AMLC, and PAOCC, totoo nga. May ebidensya na ang Bamban at Porac POGO hubs ay iisa ang mga personalities na involved,” Prosecutor Benjamin Samson said.

(Cassandra Ong is included based on the evidence of the NBI, AMLC, and PAOCC, it is true. There is evidence that the Bamban and Porac POGO hubs involve the same personalities.)

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said they believe the scamming proceeds from the Lucky South 99, the raided POGO in Porac, were used to build up the POGO hub in Bamban.

“The money that was used to basically build Zun Yuan from May to early 2021 was actually emanating from the scamming proceeds of Lucky South 99,” he said.

Meanwhile, Samson said that Shiela Guo is among the respondents as she is an incorporator in the many corporations of the Guo family.

“At base sa imbestigasyon ng AMLC, ‘yung mga corporations ng pamilya Guo ay involved sa money laundering. So dahil ina-apply ang principle ng conspiracy dito sa kasong ito, naturally kasama ‘yung buong pamilya,” he said.

(And based on the AMLC’s investigation, the corporations of the Guo family were involved in money laundering. So because we are applying the principle of conspiracy, naturally her family is included.)

Arpon also stressed that this is the first of many complaints that will be filed.

Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres said that authorities believe they have a “very strong and airtight case.”

“We believe that we have a very strong and airtight case of money laundering against the three named respondents,” Andres said.

“But of course, there will be due process afforded for all of these respondents for them to be given their opportunity to explain their side,” he added.

Meanwhile, Andres said the filing is a big deterrent for others to think twice before conducting criminal activities.

Jakarta

Meanwhile, Justice Undersecretary Nicky Ty said that based on the latest information they received, Guo is still in Jakarta.

“May mga sightings ano, may mga nakita akong mga litrato galing sa CCTV na nakita siya sa isang… lugar sa Jakarta,” Ty said..

Guo and her siblings have been reportedly out of the country since July despite a standing Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order issued against them.

According to Shiela Guo she, Alice Guo, and their supposed brother Wesley Guo left the country by riding several boats.

The BI said that Guo was reported to be in Jakarta as of August 26.

Andres said authorities also requested a blue notice from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) against Guo.

According to Interpol, a blue notice is issued to “collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.”

Andres added they would file a request for a red notice against Guo once cases are filed against her in court.

“As soon as this case is completed with respect to preliminary investigation at maisampa ang kaso sa korte (and the cases is filed in court), we will proceed to the next stage which is a red notice,” he said.

A red notice is a request for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest a person pending his extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.

Freeze order

Meanwhile, Arpon said the freeze order issued against Guo and two others was extended until January 2025.

“Na-extend po ‘yung freeze order hanggang maximum period of six months po (the freeze order was extended for a maximum period of six months),” he said.

In July, the CA ordered the freezing of the bank accounts and personal assets of Guo, Zhiyang Huang, and Baoying Lin for alleged involvement in illegal activities.

The AMLC said the freeze order covered 90 bank accounts in 14 financial institutions, several real estate properties, and high-value personal properties like luxury vehicles, and a helicopter.

Aside from this, Guo is facing a human trafficking complaint concerning the raided POGO hub before the DOJ. A petition seeking to remove Alice Guo from office has also been filed before a Manila court.

—

菲律宾前市长郭华萍与另35人被控洗钱

郭华萍（中）今年5月在菲律宾参议院听证会上否认她知道合伙人涉嫌犯罪，以及充当他们的保护伞。（取自菲律宾参议院脸书）

（马尼拉综合讯）菲律宾前市长郭华萍与另35人，包括她的家人及商业伙伴等，被控87项洗钱罪，涉案金额高达70亿比索（约1亿6200万新元）。

《菲律宾星报》报道，菲反洗钱委员会、总统反有组织犯罪委员会和国家调查局星期五（8月30日）向司法部提交这些控状。

控状指被告通过个人或集体共谋行为进行资金或货币工具交易，这些非法收益是涉嫌人口贩卖、违反证券监管规定和非法交易或诈骗等不法活动所得。

反洗钱委员会负责人称，郭华萍是洗钱案的主嫌，通过多个不同实体转移资金。这些资金最终都转入一个地产公司的账户，而郭华萍正是公司股东之一。这家地产公司有一处房地产，出租给被指进行人口贩卖等不法勾当的离岸博彩业。

郭华萍据信已潜逃出境，匿藏在印度尼西亚。和她一同出逃的姐姐郭希拉8月21日在印尼落网，隔天被遣返菲律宾。

—

菲律宾女市长及35人 因涉非法离岸博彩被起诉

菲律宾吕宋岛班班市前华裔女市长郭华萍
郭华萍在参议院面对质询的档案照片。（取自菲律宾星报）

（马尼拉31日讯）菲律宾吕宋岛班班市前华裔女市长郭华萍和另外35人，因涉嫌从事非法离岸博彩活动，被司法部起诉。

他们一共面对87项洗钱指控，涉及金额高达1亿2500万美元（约5亿3999万令吉）。被告除了郭华萍，也包括她的姐姐郭希拉、一家离岸博彩公司“ POGO ”的注册人、以及公司的股东和董事等。

指控诉书说：“被告通过其个人或集体共谋行为，明显交易了非法活动收益的资金或货币工具，这些非法活动涉及人口贩运、违反证券监管规定和非法交易与诈骗”。

菲律宾司法部副部长安德烈斯表示，反洗钱委员会已经完成工作，并与司法部和其他相关机构协调。当局相信，所涉及的是非常强大而严密的洗钱案。

他说，政府已要求国际刑警组织发出蓝色通报，要求成员国报告郭华萍的下落。他补充说，一旦向法院提出指控，菲律宾政府随后将对郭华萍发出红色通缉令。

菲律宾官员说，根据目前掌握的最可靠信息，郭华萍仍在印尼的雅加达

7 Pinoy nahuli sa cyber scam sa Laos, nakauwi na

MANILA, Philippines — Pitong Pilipino ang tinulungan ng Department of Fo­reign Affairs (DFA) na makabalik sa bansa nitong Biyernes matapos maaresto dahil sa cyber scam network sa Laos.

Sinabi ng DFA na tinutulungan na rin ang “release at extraction” ng mga OFWs sa Laos kasunod ng pag-crackdown kamakailan sa Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ), na kilala sa mga casino at hotel na pag-aari ng mga Chinese at hinihinalang gumagawa ng mga ilegal na aktibidad.

Ayon sa DFA, ang Embahada ng Pilipinas sa Vientiane ay nakikipagtulungan sa mga awtoridad ng Laos at nagpadala ng isang team sa Bokeo upang mapadali ang pagpapalaya at pagkuha ng mga distressed na Pilipino.

Gagastusan din ng DFA ang kanilang mga flight mula Bokeo patungong Vientiane at sa Pilipinas, kabilang ang tirahan, pagkain, at mga pangunahing pangangailangan.

“So far, we have responded to 129 requests for assistance, and already repatriated 7 Filipinos today,” anang DFA.

Napaulat na inaresto ng mga awtoridad sa Laos ang halos 800 katao na nagtatrabaho sa cyber scam network sa isang “espesyal na economic zone” sa hangganan ng Myanmar at Thailand.

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菲律宾把在金三角逮捕的七名公民带回国

《菲律宾每日问询者报》星期六（8月24日）报道，菲律宾外交部说，在老挝与缅甸和泰国接壤边境附近经济特区被捕的七名菲律宾公民已被遣返。

报道称，菲律宾政府正与老挝当局合作把另外75名菲律宾人遣返。这些人员在金三角经济特区打击犯罪行动中被捕，被捕人数共771人。

被拘留者大多来自缅甸、中国、印度、埃塞俄比亚、印度尼西亚、菲律宾和越南。

金三角经济特区（简称GTSEZ）是老挝政府于2007年，与中国商人赵伟拥有的香港注册金木棉集团（Kings Romans Group，简称KRG）合作创建的。

《彭博商业周刊》上周报道，调查人员认为金三角经济特区是犯罪活动的中心，并以贩毒活动为主。最近也开始经营诈骗中心，许多经营者都是人口贩卖的受害者。

(nbi.gov.ph)
PRESS STATEMENT
SIX CHINESE NATIONALS ARRESTED FOR CYBER-RELATED SCAMS

Joint operatives of NBI-Cybercrime Division (NBI-CCD) and NBI- Technical Intelligence Division (NBI-TID), on August 14, 2024, arrested six (6) Chinese nationals in Angeles City, Pampanga for cyber-related scams.

NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) said that CCD received a letter from Naval Intelligence and Security Group (NISG), requesting assistance for the validation and service of warrant to Subjects GUO JINXIE, ZHANGXIAO FENG, and LO HSING HUNG.

Said Subjects have outstanding Warrant of Arrest issued by RTC Branch 296, Paranaque City for alleged Qualified Trafficking in Persons under Section 4 (J) in relation to Section 6 of RA No. 9208 as amended by RA 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012).

Acting on the request, CCD operatives, together with the TID hatched an operation to serve the Warrant of Arrest against one of the Subjects, ZHANGXIAO FENG, who was learned to be at D Heights Resort Golf and Country Club.

Operatives coordinated with Clark Development Corporation for the service of warrant. Unfortunately, ZHANGXIAO FENG was not in the premises during the implementation of the warrant. However, operatives were astounded by the office set up as there were various desktop computers, cellular phones, sim cards, several scripts, and customer ledgers.

According to Director Santiago, controlled viewing and examination on the desktops’ interface revealed the romance scam scripts, messaging applications with fictitious accounts, bank accounts, and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platforms, suggesting that the individuals using these devices are engaged in fraudulent activities globally. Accordingly, these scripts and tools are used in scamming activities such as catfishing scams, credit card scams, cryptocurrency scams, and fake investment scams, among others.

There being a crime committed in the presence of the operatives, six (6) Chinese nationals namely: XIAOJUN WANG, XUE FENG ZHANG, KE XIN GE, DIE LIU, YU JIE WANG, and HONG HONG ZHU were arrested in flagrante delicto for violation of Computer-Related Forgery under RA No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), Social Engineering Schemes under Section 4(b)(1) and Economic Sabotage under Section 4(c)(1) of RA No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act) in relation to RA No. 10175.

Arrested Subjects were presented for inquest proceedings before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the above-said violations of law.

Director Santiago commended the CCD and TID operatives for their sharpness and precise actions in the operation. He added that the NBI pursues cybercriminals in the country, especially those perpetrated by foreign nationals.

—

六名中國人因涉嫌詐騙和網路犯罪在邦板牙省被捕

本報訊：國家調查局（NBI）週五（2024.8.16）宣布，在邦板牙省天使市逮捕了六名中國人，罪名是涉嫌參與網路詐騙和相關網路犯罪。

根據週五的一份聲明，國調局網路犯罪部門和技術情報部門的工作人員在鄉村俱樂部逮捕了六名中國人，罪名是違反2012 年《網路犯罪預防法》和《反金融帳戶詐騙法》 。

國調局表示，這些對像已送交司法部接受調查。

國調局局長海梅·聖地亞哥表示，在海軍情報和安全小組請求該局協助對三名人口販運通緝犯發出逮捕令後，特工們開展了這次行動。

國調局隨後計劃在鄉村俱樂部逮捕其中一名男子，但行動期間並未在現場發現他。

相反，特工在行動中發現了六名中國人以及各種桌上型電腦、電話、SIM 卡、腳本和客戶分類帳。

現場還發現了浪漫詐騙腳本、帶有虛構帳戶、銀行帳戶的訊息應用程式以及來自桌面電腦介面的欺詐性加密貨幣投資平台。

聖地亞哥表示，找到的物品「表明使用這些設備的個人在全球範圍內從事詐欺活動」。

(nbi.gov.ph)
PRESS STATEMENT
CHARGES FILED AGAINST FOUR INDIVIDUALS FOR ILLEGAL TRANSACTIONS RESULTING IN MILLIONS WORTH OF FINANCIAL LOSS

The National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) filed charges against four individuals who conspired to engage in illegal transactions that have resulted in millions worth of loss to the company.

Charges of Qualified Theft thru Falsification of Commercial Documents were filed against JORIZ DE GUZMAN MANAGA, KIM BUSTAMANTE DELA CRUZ, RICHARD CANDIDO ALEGONZA, and VINA LIZA ABON GARILLO, and additional charges for violation of Anti-Money Laundering Act were also filed against JORIZ DE GUZMAN MANAGA and KIM BUSTAMANTE DELA CRUZ before the Prosecutor General, Department of Justice, Manila.

NBI Director Judge Jaime B. Santiago (Ret.) said that the Productivity Technology Services, Inc. (PTSI), a company engaged in the business of trading computer hardware, software, electronic gadgets, and other allied services, lodged multiple complaints before the NBI for theft of PTSI’s iPhones in the total amount of Php 25,669,900.00.

Results of investigation showed that several unauthorized purchase transactions through fake orders, ghost deliveries, and re-directed deliveries were made by JORIZ DE GUZMAN MANAGA, PTSI’s Account Executive in connivance with KIM BUSTAMANTE DELA CRUZ, regular supplier of PTSI accredited as Wil-Son Choy/AKJ Gadgets Shop; RICHARD CANDIDO ALEGONZA, PTSI’s Logistics Supervisor; and VINA LIZA ABON GARILLO, PTSI’s Accounting Staff, and girlfriend of JORIZ D. MANAGA.

JORIZ D. MANAGA made it appear that there were legitimate demands for iPhones from PTSI customers by fabricating customer conformes, when in fact, no order was actually made as confirmed by PTSI’s customers. In order to conceal the deliveries, RICHARD CANDIDO ALEGONZA, PTSI’s Logistics Supervisor, deleted the entries pertaining to the falsified conformes from the accounting system and the Excel manual record of inventories.

JORIZ and KIM BUSTAMANTE DELA CRUZ established an agreement that no actual delivery would be made for any of the involved purchase orders. To facilitate the purchase, JORIZ admitted to forging the signature of PTSI’s Marketing Manager on some occasions. PTSI paid KIM twenty-three (23) checks which were all debited from the bank accounts of PTSI. To conceal the transactions, VINA LIZA ABON GARILLO, PTSI’s Accounting Staff and Joriz’s girlfriend, deleted certain system entries and JORIZ hid the sales invoices to prevent the company from tracking the supposed deliveries.

In sum, JORIZ fabricated a total of seventy-three (73) customer conformes, caused 73 manipulated purchase transactions, and falsified seven (7) purchase request forms, and one (1) purchase order. These resulted in PTSI’s loss amounting to a total of Php 25,669,900.00.

JORIZ and his cohorts stole and sold the iPhones, and appropriated and divided the proceeds among themselves. During the administrative proceedings conducted by the PTSI, JORIZ admitted to all the acts complained against him, and narrated the roles of KIM, RICHARD, and VINA in the commission of the theft.

Director Santiago lauded the NBI-NCR for conducting thorough investigation of the case that led to the filing of charges. He emphasized that the NBI takes financial crimes of this nature very seriously, and is committed to bringing all those involved to justice.

—

四人因非法交易造成数百万美元财务损失被起诉

国家调查局-国家首都区 (NBI-NCR) 向四名合谋参与非法交易的个人提起了指控，这些交易已给公司造成了数百万美元的损失。JORIZ DE GUZMAN MANAGA、KIM BUSTAMANTE DELA CRUZ、RICHARD CANDIDO ALEGONZA 和 VINA LIZA ABON GARILLO 被控通过伪造商业文件实施合格盗窃，此外，JORIZ DE GUZMAN MANAGA 和 KIM BUSTAMANTE DELA CRUZ 还被控违反《反洗钱法》，并已向马尼拉司法部总检察长提起了指控。

国调局局长、法官 Jaime B. Santiago（已退休）表示，生产力技术服务公司（PTSI）是一家从事计算机硬件、软件、电子产品和其他相关服务交易的公司，该公司向国调局多次投诉 PTSI 的 iPhone 被盗，总额达 25,669,900.00 菲律宾比索。

2 Nigerian nationals nabbed for operating love scam

Two Nigerian nationals were arrested in a house in Cavite that was allegedly running love scam operations.

According to John Consulta’s report on “24 Oras,” the Regional Special Operations unit and Tanza Police arrested the suspects who were believed to have come from the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

“‘Di lang mga Pilipino kundi pati foreigners ang binibiktima nila. Sila ay nag-aral somewhere in Central Luzon, hanggang sa sila’y narecruit sa Bamban, Tarlac kung saan sila ay nagtrabaho sa isang POGO. Nung nakita na nila at nalaman kung paano magtrabaho sa isang POGO, sila ay umalis doon at nagtayo ng sarili nila,” said Police Brigadier General Kenneth Paul Lucas, Police Region Office-4A regional director.

(They victimize not only Filipinos but also foreigners. They studied somewhere in Central Luzon until they were recruited in Bamban, Tarlac where they worked in a POGO. When they learned how POGO operated, they left and built their own.)

The mobile phones loaded with dating applications to be used in fraud were also confiscated.

The Calabarzon Police detected the illegal activity after a report of a Filipina who’s allegedly being abused in the love scam hub.

“Sabi niya ako raw ang magmo-model, ako ang makikipagcommunicate sa mga client, ayoko po. Ayoko po kasing gagamitin niya mukha ko para manloko ng ibang tao. Yung sampal niya, literal na tatama sa buong mukha ko, sobrang laki ng palad niya. Nahirapan na rin akong makarinig, humina po siya,” said the complainant.

(He said I will model, I will communicate with clients, I don’t want to. I don’t want him to use my face to scam people. He slapped me, his hand was too big. My hearing got affected.)

One of the suspects denied the assault.

“I’m not holding her against her will. I never caused her injury,” he said.

But the other suspect, who’s fluent in Filipino, confirmed that they worked in a POGO in Bamban, Tarlac, and learned about love scam operations there.

“May kontak kami doon sa Bamban, Tarlac. Pagdating namin doon, di namin alam yung mismong ginagawa doon, hanggang sa nalaman din namin. Marami na pong problema, di po namin alam gagawin, di pwede magtrabaho dito kaya walang choice. Di naman literal na nagtayo, nag-try lang po,” said the other suspect.

(We have contact there in Bamban, Tarlac. When we got there, we didn’t know exactly what was being done there, until we found out. There were already many problems, we didn’t know what to do, we couldn’t work here so there was no choice. I didn’t literally build it, I just tried.)

The two arrested suspects were charged with illegal detention and violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

—

两名尼日利亚公民因实施爱情骗局被捕

Mga foreign POGO worker layas sa loob ng 2 buwan – BI

Bibigyan ng Bureau of Immigration (BI) ng taning na 60 araw o dalawang buwan ang lahat ng mga dayuhang manggagawa ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) para umalis sa Pilipinas.

Kaugnay ito sa utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. na inanunsyo sa kanyang ikatlong State of the Nation Address (SONA) na bawal na ang POGO sa buong bansa.

Ayon kay BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, ang mga foreign national na nagtatrabaho sa mga POGO gayundin sa Internet Gaming Licensees (IGL) at mga kaugnay na service provider nito ay bibigyan ng dalawang buwan bago sila palayasin sa bansa.

Sa tantiya ng BI chief, nasa 20,000 na mga dayuhang manggagawa sa nasabing industriya ang aalis sa Pilipinas sa susunod na dalawang buwan.

Tiniyak din ni Tansingco na hindi na nila papayagan pa ang mga nakabinbin at bagong aplikasyon para sa visa ng mga POGO at IGL worker.

Aniya, tukoy nila kung sino-sino ang mga dayuhang nagtatrabaho sa mga POGO dahil may listahan sila nito mula sa Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).

Nagbabala si Tansingco na mahaharap sa deportation proceedings ang hindi susunod sa direktiba ng komisyon.

Dagdag pa ng BI chief na inatasan na niya ang Intelligence Division at Fugitive Search Unit ng ahensiya para arestuhin ang mga pasaway na sangkot sa illegal online gaming hubs.

Makikipag-ugnayan din ang BI sa Pagcor at Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) para kanselahin ang permit ng mga online gaming company at ng kanilang mga foreign worker.

“As a result of the cancellation, the BI will also revoke granted visas to said foreign nationals,” sabi ni Tansingco.

—

BI: Manggagawa ng POGO obligadong umalis ng Pinas sa loob ng 60 araw

TINIYAK ni Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco na lahat ng mga manggagawa ng ng Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) at Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) ay obligadong umalis ng bansa sa loob ng 60 araw.

Ito ay makaraang ipag-utos ni Pangulong Ferdinand “Bong Bong” Marcos, Jr. ang pag-ban sa lahat ng POGO sa kanyang ikatlong State of the Nation Address nitong July 22.

“Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder,” pahayag ni Marcos.

Sinabi ni Tansingco na ang lahat ng dayuhan na pumapasok sa POGOs at IGLs, gayundin ang mga related service providers ay bibigyan ng 59 na araw upang tapusin ang kanilang mga transaksyon at umalis na sa bansa.

Inaasahan anya nila na nasa 20,000 foreign workers sa industriya ang aalis sa bansa sa susunod na dalawang buwan.

Sinabi ni Tansingco na ang mga nakapending pang aplikasyon at bagong aplikasyon para sa POGO at IGL workers ay otomatiko nang ibabasura.

Sinabi ng BI Chief na mayroon silang talaan ng mga dayuhan na nagtatrabaho sa POGOs at IGLs na kanilang nakuha mula sa Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Binalaan nito ang mga violators na mahaharap sa deportation proceedings kasabay ng pagpapaigting nila ng kanilang operasyon laban sa mga ito.

—

菲下逐客令 离岸博彩外籍员工须在59天内离境

（马尼拉综合电）菲律宾移民局星期三下逐客令，所有离岸博彩营运商的外籍员工必须在两个月内离境。

菲移民局局长坦辛科星期三（7月24日）在一份声明中说，离岸博彩营运商的外籍员工必须在59天内离开菲律宾。预料将有大约2万人受到影响，其中大多数是中国人。根据坦辛科，逾期逗留的外籍员工将直接被遣返。

菲总统小马可斯星期一在国会发表国情咨文中表示，这些主要由中国人经营的离岸博彩公司涉嫌金融诈骗、洗黑钱、贩卖人口、酷刑、绑架和谋杀等犯罪活动，因此决定全面禁止并下令监管机构今年内结束整个行业。

菲前总统杜特尔特2016年上台后放宽了博彩条例，让网上赌博合法化，使离岸博彩业快速发展。由于中国国内严禁赌博，博彩营运商利用菲律宾宽松的博彩法律，以中国人为服务对象。

短短几年，这个行业就创造了无数就业机会和数十亿美元的收入。在巅峰时期，菲律宾约有300个离岸博彩营运商，但冠病大流行和更严格的税收规定迫使许多离岸博彩营运商搬迁或转入地下。

菲博彩监管机构的数据显示，菲律宾目前有42个离岸博彩营运商，截至去年底直接及间接聘请约4万名菲律宾人及近2万3000名外国人。

今年5月，菲律宾吕宋岛中部丹辘省一名华裔女市长郭华萍（38岁、Alice Guo）因涉嫌通过网络博彩公司洗钱被参议院传召侦讯，并冻结了其90个涉及不法活动的银行账户。但郭华萍缺席听审，迄今下落不明。

President imposes ban on POGOs amid snowballing calls

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has heeded snowballing calls to ban Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) in the country, an industry marred by controversies and illegal activities.

During his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, Marcos acknowledged that POGOs have already “ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.”

“The grave abuse and disrespect of our system must stop. Kailangan nang itigil ang panggugulo nito sa ating lipunan at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa (It is now imperative to stop this chaos that is wreaking havoc to our society and desecrating our country). Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos exclaimed prompting the crowd at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City to break into cheers. The speech received 125 rounds of applause and two standing ovations.

The President also ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to cease operations of POGOs by the end of the year, as well as the Department of Labor and Employment to help workers who will be displaced.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, key figures of the administration’s economic team, have supported the calls to ban POGOs, which mostly cater to clients from mainland China and employ a large number of Chinese-speaking foreign workers.

Several lawmakers and business groups have also urged the President to impose a total ban on POGOs.

Aside from money laundering activities, crimes attributed to the POGOs have expanded over the past years and now include human trafficking, abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, grave coercion, investment scam, cryptocurrency scam, and love scam.

These irregularities have prompted both chambers of Congress to investigate the illicit activities hounding online gambling firms.

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‘Effective today’: Marcos declares POGO ban in SONA

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced the ban of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) during his third State of the Nation Address.

“Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” said Marcos.

The declaration was met with cheers from members of Congress, with lawmakers rising to their feet and chanting “BBM! BBM!”

Marcos said that he heard the call of his countrymen clearly.

“Disguising as legitimate entities, their activities have ventured into illicit areas, furthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, and murder,” Marcos said.

The president called POGOs a grave abuse of Philippine law, saying that this must stop.

Marcos gave the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation a tight deadline to wind down the controversial POGO activities by the end of the year.

“I hereby instruct PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) to wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of the year,” he said to an approving crowd.

In addition to this, Marcos ordered the Department of Labor and Employment will help look for new jobs for Filipinos affected by the banning.

POGOs have seemingly opened the gateway to criminal activities in the Philippines, with numerous raids finding evidence of human trafficking, prostitution, torture and more.

Pressure on Marcos to ban POGOs has been increasing in recent months, especially after the Senate investigation has exposed several other issues— from fake birth certificates being bought by foreign nationals to suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo being suspected as a Chinese spy.

Senators Sherwin Gatchalian, Risa Hontiveros and Aquilino Pimentel III have all urged Marcos to ban POGOs.

Both the Department of Finance (DOF) and the National Economic and Development Authority have backed the banning of POGOs. The DOF has said that allowing POGOs to proliferate is costing the Philippines around P99.5 billion a year.

—

指涉诈骗贩卖人口等 菲禁离岸博彩业

（马尼拉23日美联电）菲律宾总统小马可斯周一宣布，立即禁止广泛存在、主要由中国人经营的离岸博彩业（POGO），指责这些公司从事金融诈骗、贩卖人口、酷刑、绑架和谋杀等犯罪活动。

菲律宾全国估计有400多家中国人经营的在线博彩公司，雇佣了数万名中国人和东南亚人。中国政府也支持针对离岸博彩业的打击行动。

指非法招募涉剥削酷刑

此举意味着多家庞大的博彩公司将关门。当局指数千名来自中国、越南和其他国家的人被非法招募，被迫在恶劣的条件下工作。这些人大多来自东南亚地区。

小马可斯在讲话中说：“他们伪装成合法实体，涉足金融诈骗、洗钱、卖淫、贩卖人口、绑架、残酷酷刑甚至谋杀等最不合法的领域。对我们法律体系的严重滥用和不尊重必须停止。”

小马可斯勒令博彩公司在年底前停止运营。他的讲话在众议院赢得了热烈的掌声。他也要求劳工部官员为因博彩公司关门而失业的菲律宾人寻找替代工作。

称官僚腐败致博彩业蓬勃

菲律宾参议员说，庞大的在线博彩业之所以蓬勃发展，很大程度上是因为监管机构的腐败和对地方官员的贿赂。

Pogo crackdown widens; ‘250 to 300’ not licensed
June 14, 2024

MABALACAT CITY — The newly installed Pampanga police director on Thursday vowed to go after illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) that might be clandestinely operating in the province.

Police Col. Jay Dimaandal said his very first order to all 21 city and municipal police chiefs in Pampanga was to inspect all compounds and buildings in their respective areas of responsibility.

“There might be fenced compounds or buildings that might be hosting or being used as Pogo hubs,” he said.

Dimaandal said the inspection would be done in coordination with the local government units (LGUs). He invoked the power of “police visitation” and the right of LGUs to inspect all commercial establishments in their jurisdictions.

He made the statement while authorities were launching a crackdown on illegal Pogos as calls to ban their activities mounted due to their alleged links to criminal syndicates.

Alejandro Tengco, the chair of the state gaming regulator, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), said on Thursday that around 250 to 300 Pogos were operating in the Philippines without a license, six times more than the 46 legitimate operators.

“Together with the police, we search for these illegal operators, conduct raids, and shut them down,” Tengco told the Reuters news agency.

The online gaming industry emerged in 2016 and grew exponentially as operators capitalized on the country’s liberal gaming laws to target customers in China, where gambling is banned.

At their peak, Pogos totaled 300 and employed more than 300,000 Chinese workers. But the pandemic and tighter tax rules have forced many to relocate or go underground, Tengco said.

The ongoing crackdown was triggered by reports of Pogo-related crimes such as human trafficking, torture, kidnapping and fraudulent activities like credit card, crypto investment, and “love scams”—when criminals adopt fake online identities to persuade victims to give them money.

Recently, several lawmakers cited possible security threats from Pogos.

Provincial chief replaced

Police Regional Office 3 (PRO3) chief Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr. appointed Dimaandal as the new Pampanga police chief on Wednesday.

Dimaandal replaced Police Col. Hope Basilio, less than a week after authorities led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) raided an illegal Pogo hub in Porac town on June 4.

The PRO3 public information office said Basilio was relieved on Monday as an “administrative measure” to give way to an impartial investigation of the alleged illegal operation of the Pogo company Lucky South 99 since late last year, even without a necessary permit or license from the government.

Last week, the Philippine National Police relieved Porac police chief Lt. Col. Palmyra Guardaya.

The PNP wanted to determine whether there was negligence or related shortcomings on the part of Porac police in relation to the illegal Pogo operation.

Following a similar raid in March, 49 police officers of Bamban, Tarlac, also were relieved on June 4 after the Office of the Ombudsman suspended Mayor Alice Guo for alleged wrongdoing in connection with the operation of a Pogo company that is facing human trafficking charges.

The move was also intended to clear the way for the investigation of any “neglect of duty” by the officers in relation to illegal activities of the Pogo company, according to PNP spokesperson Police Col. Jean Fajardo.

Uniforms, medals

Paocc spokesperson Winston Casio said they learned that the Lucky South 99 Pogo company in Porac had been operating at the 5.8-hectare compound within the vast Royal Garden Estate without any valid permit from Pagcor.

Casio told reporters on Wednesday that several Chinese military medals and uniforms were found in several of the 46 buildings in the compound.

Authorities also found several rooms with bloodstains. The rooms were believed to be torture chambers where Pogo workers were beaten up for not complying with management directives and for failing to reach their quotas.

One of the buildings forcibly opened by police officers showed a large KTV bar with VIP rooms and rooms with beds. Authorities believed that the building was used for the sex trafficking of foreign and Filipino women.

A gun and several rounds of live ammunition were also found inside one of the rooms of another building.

Fresh calls for ban

Several senators on Thursday urged President Marcos to ban all Pogos for posing a threat to national security and for being the source of crimes such as those cited by Tengco.

Opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged the President to heed the pronouncements of Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., who favored a total ban on Pogos on national security grounds.

“Why is it considered a national security concern? It weakens our political, economic, social, and peace and order fabric,” Teodoro told reporters on Wednesday.

Hontiveros earlier said that Pogos were being used as cover for online scamming, sex trafficking, and torture and were being used as a spying network.

She cited the dozens of smartphones found at the Bamban Pogo hub that were suspected of being used for fraudulent transactions and online scamming.

Hontiveros said the Pogo in Bamban was also suspected of conducting surveillance and hacking activities.

“What more proof does (the President) need to consider Pogos a national security threat?” she said. “Let us ban Pogos now, wherever in the country they may be.”

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the national security concern expressed by Teodoro reinforced calls for their immediate ban.

“I reiterate our call for the President to listen to the amplified call of many of the Filipino people and the agencies of government to end the presence of Pogo in the country,” he said.

Chiz for phaseout

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero urged the Department of National Defense to discuss with Pagcor the concerns they had raised regarding the presence of Pogos near military camps.

Escudero supported calls for the total phaseout of illegal Pogos.

“In fact, all illegal Pogos should be closed, whether they are close to our military bases or not and their perpetrators arrested,” he said.

In 2019, then defense chief Delfin Lorenzana said Pogo hubs, particularly those near military camps, could easily shift their activities to spying.

Lorenzana cited the former Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite, that was converted into a Pogo enclave a few kilometers from a military base at Sangley Point.

Senate President Pro-Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said that aside from the national security concerns, the government should crack down on Pogos, that Pagcor said were operating without licenses.

Año’s view

According to National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, Pogos are not yet considered a national security threat in the same way that the Abu Sayyaf and the communist insurgents are.

But for now, “it is a national concern that law enforcement and regulatory agencies can address,” Año said on Thursday.

He urged lawmakers to look into whether the government should allow the continued operations of Pogos in the country.

He assured them that the National Security Council was also making its own assessment of the implications that Pogos had on national security from a “balanced and informed perspective” in close cooperation with other agencies.

On Tuesday, Sen. Lito Lapid, who hails from Pampanga and chairs the Senate committee on games and amusement, called on the Senate to inquire into the Pogo hub in Porac.

“It is appropriate to conduct a thorough investigation to find out who are the real owners of the land and buildings used … and the company that operates here so that the whole truth can be known as to who is behind the Pogo,” Lapid said in a statement.

He said the raids on the Pogo hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga did not only uncover sufficient basis for criminal prosecution but also for remedial legislation to “prevent further abuses in our regulatory processes.”

Business chamber’s stand

The Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry submitted to the provincial board a position paper strongly urging local executives and national agencies to ban Pogo operations.

“The minimal economic benefits do not justify the extensive social, economic, and reputational damage they cause,” the 30-year-old business group said in a statement.

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Pagcor: No licensed Pogo hubs next to military camps
June 13, 2024

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) on Thursday said it has not issued any licenses to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (Pogo) sites operating next to military camps.

Pagcor Chairman Alejandro Tengco made the assurance as Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. urged the government to stop Pogo operations near military bases.

“Gusto ko lang po ipagbigay-alam kay Secretary Teodoro wala pong licensed Pogo hub na katabi ng any military camp na pinagkakaloob ng Pagcor,” Tengco said in a radio dwPM interview.

(I just want to inform Secretary Teodoro that Pagcor did not issue a license to any Pogo hub next to any military camp.)

“Kaya maliwanag, illegal na naman ‘yang mga hub na sinasabi na nakadikit sa mga military camps na yan,” he added.

(So obviously, those hubs that are said to be next to those military camps are illegal.)

Teodoro made the call amid lingering suspicions about the Pogo site locations, with security expert Chester Cabalza even calling it a “Trojan horse” that could be used by China to stage a “surprise attack” against vital military installations.

Porac, Bamban Pogos among unlicensed 250 sites

The recent Pogo raid in Porac, Pampanga yielded suspicious findings, such as a suspected People’s Liberation Army uniform and insignia.

The alleged involvement of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in the Pogo site near Bamban’s municipal hall also made headlines, with the mayor’s real identity and citizenship also being questioned.

Tengco, however, noted that the Pogo sites in Porac and Bamban are included in the 250 offshore gaming sites that had their licenses revoked after Pagcor’s crackdown last year.

“Actually, yung malalaki na yan — yung Bamban at Porac— eh wala naman na pong mga lisensya sa Pagcor yan eh,” he said.

(Actually, those big operations—in Bamban and Porac—no longer have Pagcor licenses.)

Only 43 sites accredited

Tengco said that they placed about 300 Pogos under probationary status sometime in September last year and only 46 of them got their licenses back.

Another crackdown was conducted on these remaining 46 sites, trimming down the total number of accredited sites —now termed as internet gaming licensees (IGL)—to 43.

“Humigit kumulang 300 ang napagkalooban ng lisensya ng huling administrasyon ng Pagcor. At ito nga ay masusing pinag-aralan at nakita yung mga ginagawa nila ay yung mga bagay na wala nang ukol sa gaming kaya minarapat namin sometime in September 2023 na ilagay lahat sa probationary status at pagkatapos po niyan ay sinalang mabuti,” Tengco said in a radio dwPM interview.

(About 300 were granted licenses by the last Pagcor administration after a thorough study, and we found out that what they are doing is no longer related to gaming. So we decided sometime in September 2023 to put all of them on probationary status, and after that, it was carefully screened.)

“Humigit kumulang nasa 46 na lang po ang natitira. Ang problema po talaga ay hindi ‘yung mga licencees ng Pagcor kundi yung mga humigit kumulang na mga nasa 250 dyan na mga di na napagkalooban ng lisensya muli ay patuloy pa rin ang kanilang paghahanap-buhay nang illegal,” he continued.

(After this, there are only about 46 left. The real problem is not the licensees of Pagcor but the approximately 250 [Pogo operators] who have not been granted a license again yet are still operating illegally.)

Also, Tengco said that most of the remaining 43 IGL sites are confined within Metro Manila.

“Tatlo po sa apatnapu’t anim na ‘yun eh kelan lamang eh sinuspindi ng Pagcor. Naramdaman namin na may mga hindi maganda na gawaing nauukol sa ilalim ng bagong regulasyon ng Pagcor. So we immediately suspended the three. 43 po ang aktibo sa kasalukuyan na mga internet gaming licensees,” he added.

(Three of those forty-six sites were suspended by Pagcor only recently. We feel that they were conducting bad practices that went against the new Pagcor regulation. So, we immediately suspended the three. Only 43 are currently active internet gaming licensees.

“Ang maliwanag po sa natitirang 43, they are within the Metro Manila area and kung meron man one or two within the outskirts of Metro Manila eh wala po kaming napapansin na illegal silang gawain,” he added.

(“What is clear about the remaining 43 is that they are within the Metro Manila area—maybe there are only one or two within the outskirts of Metro Manila—and we do not notice that they are doing illegal activities.)

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菲律宾加大打击网络博彩业的力度；“250 至 300 家”博彩公司未获许可

新上任的邦板牙省警察局长周四誓言要严厉打击可能在该省秘密经营的非法菲律宾离岸博彩运营商 (Pogos)。

警官杰伊·迪曼达尔 (Jay Dimaandal) 表示，他对邦板牙省所有 21 名市警察局长下达的第一个命令是检查他们各自负责的区域内的所有大院和建筑物。

他说：“有一些带围栏的院落或建筑物，可能用作 Pogo 中心。”

迪曼达尔表示，检查将与地方政府部门 (LGUs) 协调进行。他援引了“警察巡查”的权力以及地方政府部门检查其管辖范围内所有商业机构的权利。

在当局对非法网络博彩公司展开严厉打击之际，他发表了上述声明。由于非法网络博彩公司涉嫌与犯罪集团有联系，要求禁止其活动的呼声越来越高。

国家博彩监管机构菲律宾娱乐及博彩公司（Pagcor）主席亚历杭德罗·滕科（Alejandro Tengco）周四表示，菲律宾约有 250 至 300 家网络博彩公司无证经营，数量是 46 家合法运营商的六倍。

网络博彩业于 2016 年兴起，并随着运营商利用国家宽松的博彩法律瞄准禁止博彩的中国客户而呈指数级增长。

在巅峰时期，离岸博彩公司总数达到 300 家

正在进行的打击行动是由有关 Pogo 犯罪的报道引发的，这些犯罪包括人口贩卖、酷刑、绑架以及信用卡、加密货币投资和“爱情骗局”等欺诈活动——犯罪分子采用虚假的网络身份诱骗受害者向他们提供钱财。