The House Quad Committee to investigate troll farms, allegedly funded by a POGO boss, that are spreading misinformation to disrupt their probe into the industry.
The House Quad Committee (Quadcomm) has announced that it will launch an investigation into claims that troll farms, allegedly funded by the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), are attempting to derail the committee’s ongoing probe into the controversial industry. The investigation follows reports that these troll farms have been used to spread misinformation, undermine the committee’s work, and even intimidate key witnesses.
Panel co-chair Dan Fernandez revealed in a media interview on Thursday that the committee had received credible reports suggesting that Michael Yang, a former economic adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, is behind the troll farm activity. Yang, who has been heavily linked to POGO operations in the country, allegedly finances these attacks through resources from his POGO ventures.
“Reports indicate that Michael Yang’s POGOs are behind the financing of these troll farms. Richard Lim, known as the ‘King of POGO,’ is said to be fronting for these operations,” Fernandez was quoted as saying in a Daily Tribune report. He explained that Lim, who reportedly took over Yang’s POGOs, is believed to be orchestrating these efforts to discredit the committee and its investigations into the illegal practices surrounding POGOs.
The controversy surrounding POGOs has deepened with each passing day as more investigations reveal troubling links to criminal activities. The reports regarding the alleged troll farms are just the latest chapter in a growing scandal that continues to fuel the ongoing inquiry. According to Fernandez, the committee is working to verify the claims and further investigate the extent of the troll farm operations.
The committee’s inquiry has also raised questions about the involvement of prominent figures within the Chinese community in the Philippines, especially regarding the role of Richard Lim. Fernandez stated that there have been questions raised in the press as to why Lim, a well-known figure in the Chinese business sector, has not yet been directly named in the investigation despite his association with Yang’s POGOs.
Yang, a key figure in the country’s POGO industry, has been at the center of multiple controversies. He has been accused of having ties to organized criminal syndicates, particularly with regard to the illegal drug trade. Yang has been linked to the September 2023 seizure of P3.5 billion worth of illegal drugs in a warehouse located in Mexico, Pampanga. The warehouse was reportedly owned by Empire 999 Realty Corporation, a real estate company co-founded by Yang.
In addition to the allegations of drug trafficking, Senator Risa Hontiveros, a vocal critic of the POGO industry, has suggested that Yang may be involved in Chinese intelligence operations within the Philippines. Hontiveros has been outspoken in her condemnation of the POGO sector, which she claims fosters an environment of corruption and criminal activity. According to Hontiveros, these operations not only affect the country’s economy but also put national security at risk.
The ongoing House investigation has uncovered disturbing evidence that connects POGOs to the illegal drug trade. The committee has reported that foreign nationals, particularly from China, have used proceeds from the drug trade to corrupt local officials and acquire land. These foreign nationals are said to have used fraudulent documents, such as fake Philippine birth certificates and government-issued IDs, to further conceal their illegal activities.
As the investigation unfolds, it has also been revealed that the alleged troll farms are targeting not only committee members but also witnesses who have exposed the links between POGOs and illegal activities. According to Quad committee chair, Ace Barbers, the troll campaigns are designed to intimidate and discourage witnesses from coming forward, thus preventing the truth from emerging.
Barbers pointed out that these troll farms are not just targeting committee members, they are also intimidating those who are testifying against the criminal activities of POGOs.
Read related article: POGO-Funded Slander Campaign Condemned by Barbers
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