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As Philippines news reported, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros announced on Friday that her panel is committed to investigating a possible information leak during a recent raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Hontiveros was concerned after learning that an unknown number of Chinese nationals fled before the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) arrived at the POGO site.
“We will get to the bottom of who is accountable,” she stated.
“Anyone colluding with Chinese syndicates will be held accountable. Our Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality will ensure that victims of abuse and exploitation receive justice.”
Dr. Winston Casio, PAOCC spokesperson, reported that the raid on Wednesday resulted in the arrest of 158 Chinese, Vietnamese and Malaysian nationals, far fewer than the expected 1,000. He suggested that the operation might have been compromised by a leak.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed his suspicion that Chinese syndicates might have infiltrated the country’s court systems. In response, the Supreme Court assured that it would investigate claims of judicial influence by individuals associated with POGO hubs.
Hontiveros praised the PAOCC’s efforts against illegal POGOs.
“Due to the raids, the heinous crimes carried out by POGOs, such as scamming, torture and human trafficking, are exposed,” she said, highlighting the recent discoveries in Pampanga. The findings have been published on most Philippines news sites, including the Philippines News Agency.
She remains hopeful that all these operations will be targeted by the PAOCC and all the perpetrators arrested.
