Recently, the consecutive raid incidents at Platinum Tower and Huatai 1 in Pasay City have once again sparked widespread attention to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) industry. These raids not only represent a severe crackdown on illegal activities but also reflect the complex power struggles and entanglements of interests within Philippine society.
Platinum Tower: Tense Evacuation and Raid
Recently, news of an urgent evacuation at the Apricot Color Company in Platinum Tower has surfaced, with multiple social groups revealing that the administrative department has asked employees to descend in batches back to their dormitories and confiscated everyone's personal mobile phones. This unusual action inevitably leads to speculation about an impending raid.
According to an insider: "I have been working here for over half a year and have never seen such a tense situation. This evacuation was clearly organized after receiving advance notice." This raises questions about whether someone inside the company had already provided clues to the police. In the Philippines, the nature of a business is often redefined during a raid, and any company, regardless of its type, can be accused of illegal operations.
Currently, many companies that are raided are due to reports from internal Filipino employees. Due to chaotic management, many Filipino employees, including nannies, cleaners, and even drivers, can become potential informants. Netizens mentioned in the PASA channel that a large number of police and buses gathered under Platinum Tower, indicating a significant law enforcement action.
A netizen who went to the scene had a brief conversation with a police officer patrolling outside a 711 convenience store, learning that this operation was not led by Aseana City police but by law enforcement officers from Pasay City Police. The officer mentioned that patrols in this area would be intensified in the future, indicating that the government has begun to monitor activities in this area more closely.
Huatai 1: Internal Reporting Triggers Chain Reaction
Meanwhile, Huatai 1 was not spared from this raid storm. An insider revealed that after the raid, the police demanded a ransom of 20 million pesos from some detained individuals. This disclosure caused great dissatisfaction within the company, especially strong criticism of HR. Some employees accused HR of always leaving early when the incident occurred, seemingly having prior knowledge, yet only caring about her and her boyfriend's safety without warning other colleagues.
Even more shocking, another insider exposed that the raid on Huatai 1 involved a conspiracy within a "Gang of Five." Allegedly, this group attempted to steal funds from a major client, amounting to 150,000 USDT, but was discovered by Chinese employees, leading to a month-long surveillance of Huatai 1 by the police and eventually the raid. This operation not only resulted in the arrest of several employees but also implicated other innocent individuals.
These raid incidents not only show the Philippine government's increasingly strict crackdown on illegal POGO activities but also expose serious internal issues within companies. The contradictions and betrayals among internal employees have become important clues for police actions. In such an environment, any slight movement can trigger a large-scale raid.
Conclusion
The raid incidents at Platinum Tower and Huatai 1 in Pasay City are a microcosm of the Philippine society's increasingly strict crackdown on illegal POGO activities. Under the government's high-pressure policy, internal reporting and employee conflicts are becoming new battlefields for law enforcement. As the government continues its crackdown on illegal activities, similar raid incidents are likely to follow, posing a severe challenge for every company and employee on how to protect themselves in this storm.
