The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is investigating a potential internal leak following what it called a "compromised" raid on the Lucky South 99 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) compound in Porac, Pampanga, the agency's spokesperson said on June 13, 20241.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio said all members of the different government agencies who took part in the operation have been placed under investigation, including himself1. He said the information reached someone before the team arrived.
"Someone, somewhere, in the long chain of government or in the process of applying for the search warrant leaked this particular information."
Casio said the PAOCC team reached the site on June 4 and found it abandoned1.
"We arrived on June 4, the entire complex was dark, closed, and no one was inside the facility anymore,"
The arrest figures reported in the account differ. Philstar.com reported that the raid resulted in the arrest of 158 Chinese, Vietnamese and Malaysian nationals, far fewer than the expected 1,0001. The same article also reported that a total of 157 foreigners suspected to be POGO workers were caught leaving the compound just as authorities were about to conduct a "welfare check," and that Casio said only over 140 individuals were arrested out of the more than 1,000 foreign nationals believed to be working in the hub, described as the biggest in Porac, Pampanga1.
Authorities believe large numbers of POGO workers and company officials escaped before the PAOCC team arrived1. Casio said he could only guess where they went.
"So where are they? I could hazard a guess that they simply relocated to other scam farms all over Central Luzon and Metro Manila,"
The development drew attention from senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian, the latter saying he believes Chinese syndicates have already infiltrated the country's court system1. The Supreme Court has vowed to investigate that allegation1.
What it means for players
The raid targeted a POGO compound, the licensed offshore gambling industry that serves customers abroad rather than walk-in players in the Philippines. The reported escape of most of the workers believed to be inside means the people and operations tied to that site may have moved rather than stopped, according to the PAOCC spokesperson's own account1. For anyone in the Philippines dealing with gambling sites or agents, the practical point is that the location named in an enforcement action is not proof that the operation behind it has ended. Background on how such compounds work and how to report suspected scams is set out in the guide to gambling scams and safety in Asia, and the rules that apply to betting in the country are covered in Can I gamble in the Philippines?.
What happens next
The PAOCC investigation into the leak is underway, with all participating agency personnel, including Casio, subject to it1. The Supreme Court has said it will investigate the allegation that syndicates have infiltrated the court system1. No outcome, timeline or further arrest figures have been reported.
