As the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry collapses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is preparing to combat the dispersed operations of online gambling companies.
Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, the public information officer of the PNP, stated that these gambling companies might continue to operate on a smaller scale in residential areas and communities through "guerrilla-style" illegal activities.
Fajardo noted that the PNP regularly collaborates with other law enforcement agencies aimed at combating the operations of these illegal gambling companies. "We have established a special task force called STG Skimmer, which has been specifically responsible for tracking and combating online gambling crimes since July," she said.
Due to frequent serious criminal activities such as human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder within the industry, President Marcos has ordered the prohibition of online gambling companies and has requested all operators to cease operations by the end of this year. Fajardo also mentioned that some Filipinos are involved in these illegal activities because the masterminds employ locals who are familiar with the local context.
"We have successfully rescued many Filipino employees who were used for illegal operations due to their language skills," she added.
In another related case, the human trafficking case involving the Mayor of Banban, Alice Guo, in Tarlac province has also attracted widespread attention. According to Guo's lawyer, Nicole Jamila, the Branch 167 of the Regional Trial Court in the Basalt area is currently handling the case, involving several witnesses who will testify at the bail hearing. According to the "continuous trial rules," the court must decide on Guo's bail application within 30 days.
Jamila stated that the prosecution needs to provide concrete evidence in court to prove Guo's crimes, otherwise bail will be granted. She added that Guo and other defendants attended the court session via video link, and the court has scheduled a marathon hearing on October 22nd to 23rd to process the bail application.
Guo's case involves the Philippine Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (RA 9208) and its amendments, under which she faces multiple charges, and the case is currently under trial.
