On June 30, 2024, Casio, spokesperson of the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), said that the agency was investigating During the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), some employees received death threats.
Casio said: "Our employees did receive some threats, but these may just be to intimidate us. For security reasons, We ask all employees to remain vigilant.”
In recent months, the Presidential Commission against Organized Crime has successively conducted investigations into two large gaming complexes in Central Luzon. The raids were carried out in Bamban Town, Tarlac Province and Porac Town, Pampanga Province. The parks are implicated in a variety of criminal activities, including fraud, human trafficking and sex trafficking. Authorities successfully "rescued" hundreds of Filipino and foreign citizens, including Chinese, Malaysian and Vietnamese nationals, from these parks. In addition, many victims of torture were rescued during the operation, most of whom were Chinese citizens.
Cassio emphasized that the Presidential Commission against Organized Crime is a civilian agency whose employees are mostly analysts, and when conducting raids Usually unarmed. He added: "We also have police and intelligence officers in our ranks, but the majority are civilians and analysts. Our job is to collect data, analyze and make recommendations. In the recent operation, our main role was to coordinate All parties. We also manage the case to ensure that all actions are legal and appropriate charges can be brought against those responsible.”
Previous reports stated that about 300 illegally operating POGOs in the Philippines refused to accept the supervision of the Philippine Gaming and Entertainment Corporation (PAGCOR) .
