Philippine authorities are investigating a travel agency's role in document fraud related to POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).
A travel agency under investigation for allegedly providing fraudulent Philippine government documents to foreign nationals has emerged as a potential key link in the ongoing Senate inquiry into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), according to Gilberto Cruz, Executive Director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday, Cruz stated that the agency may be the "missing link" referenced by Senators Sherwin Gatchalian and Risa Hontiveros, referring to a group facilitating the acquisition of passports, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) birth certificates, and late birth registrations.
PAOCC conducted an entrapment operation on Wednesday, February 5th, against JRB Travel and Consultancy Services Inc. in Intramuros, Manila, resulting in the arrest of Rosalie Bermas Bolaños and Jaive Espolong Nobleta. The two are accused of illegally processing Philippine identification cards for foreigners.
Cruz explained that authorities seized marriage and birth certificates, as well as a passport bearing a foreign national's photo but with a Filipino name. While the documents were genuine and authenticated by agencies like the PSA, the information contained within them is suspected to be false.
"We will check with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to verify the existence of the individual. While the birth certificate and other documents are authentic, having been sent by mail from the PSA with official receipts, the veracity of the information is in question," Cruz said.
The suspects also face charges of impersonating PAOCC personnel, following complaints from two individuals. Cruz detailed how, on February 4th, two complainants reported an extortion scheme involving individuals claiming to be PAOCC employees. These individuals allegedly demanded large sums of money from wives and partners of POGO workers in exchange for their release and to prevent deportation. One complainant reportedly paid approximately PHP 900,000, while another paid PHP1.1 million. Cruz clarified that no actual PAOCC personnel were involved in the scheme.
Cruz described the operation as targeting a “large-scale syndicate,” suggesting the travel agency has connections within various government agencies, including the Bureau of Immigration, the PSA, and possibly even the Land Transportation Office (LTO). He noted the group's pattern of operating discreetly under scrutiny, resuming activities once attention subsides.
“They only lie low when the pressure is on. Once they feel things have calmed down, they strike again. Maybe their key contacts haven't been exposed yet," he said.
Cruz emphasized the need for internal investigations within government agencies. "Maybe we should also look into our own people. The reason we pushed hard to catch them is because, for all we know, someone among us might already be involved in these illegal activities,” he stated. He urged other agencies to follow suit, stressing that the illicit activities will persist as long as these contacts remain in place.
Read related article: Are POGOs Reopening? PAGCOR Says It's Fake News
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