DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 25 June) – There are no Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs operating in this city, a local legislator said on Tuesday.
Councilor Jessica Bonguyan, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s Committee on Games and Amusement, issued the pronouncement amid the arrest at the Davao City International Airport of a Chinese woman who is allegedly involved in POGO operations.
The woman is allegedly the manager of Lucky South 99, an illegal Pogo hub that was recently raided in the town of Porac, Pampanga. At least 158 foreign nationals were rescued during the raid. Authorities reportedly discovered evidences of “torture and kidnapping” from the Lucky South 99 compound in Porac.
The Chinese woman was reportedly attempting to leave the country when nabbed by authorities at the airport here.
“Davao City is POGO-free. We have no pending applications nor existing POGOs as far as my committee is concerned,” Bonguyan said in Cebuano.
Bonguyan said the city government “will not tolerate” illegal gambling.
In the Facebook page of state-owned Radyo Pilipinas, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission said Monday morning the Chinese woman was prevented from leaving the country as she is allegedly one of the bosses of Lucky South 99.
The suspect is now reportedly being held in Manila. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
