PH solon calls for investigation into connections between Bamban mayor, POGOs

A suspected link between the mayor of Bamban, Philippines, and two recently busted Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in his town is being looked at.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has requested that a thorough investigation be conducted by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Mayor Alice Guo’s possible affiliation with a POGO situated in Tarlac. Gatchalian said documents that his office had recovered that show Guo’s involvement in activities connected to the POGO, which has been raided due to claims of substantial wrongful imprisonment and human trafficking.

One of the documents is a September 2020 Sangguniang Bayan (Local Council) Resolution that authorized Guo’s (a private person at the time) request for a license to run Hongsheng Gaming Technology, Inc. The site of the most recent raid, which took place in February 2023, was later revealed to be Zun Yuan Technology, Inc.

Also, the local Land Transportation Office confirmed that a Ford Expedition bearing Guo’s name was found among the vehicles at Zun Yuan Tech. Additionally, at the Zuan Yuan Technology location, a power bill for PHP15.111 million ($269,000) for the months of September 2023 through February 2024 was discovered and addressed to the mayor.

Former mayor Gatchalian underlined the importance of local government representatives focusing on crime prevention in their areas, staying away from dubious businesses like POGOs, and maintaining integrity in public service.

A resolution requesting an inquiry into allegations of human trafficking, massive illegal imprisonment, physical abuse, and torture at the Zun Yuan facility in Bamban, Tarlac, has been presented by the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means.

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief