Officials from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Committee stated that they sealed off an offshore gambling park in Bataan on October 31, due to its alleged involvement in human trafficking, fraud, and other illegal activities.
Committee spokesperson Winston Casio revealed in a TV interview that they initiated surveillance on Central One Bataan after receiving reports of the organization's involvement in human trafficking in the area. He stated, "We received complaints from Filipinos that certain departments of Central One Bataan were involved in human trafficking and fraud activities, and we have surveillance footage as evidence."
After obtaining a court search warrant, the Anti-Organized Crime Committee, together with the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the military, conducted a raid on the company's premises. Casio pointed out that the company held a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) license issued by the Bataan Freeport Authority, but he believed it was just a front.
Since its operation began in January 2023, Central One Bataan also used a problematic gambling platform. Casio further explained, "They violated gambling regulatory policies. According to regulations, a secondary license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) must be obtained when issuing offshore or inland gambling licenses."
Currently, the company's management is facing charges of violating gambling regulatory policies and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. Casio stated, "They are collecting evidence to initiate litigation related to investment fraud activities under securities and regulatory laws."
He said, "Central One Bataan will face at least three to five charges. We will not allow the involved foreigners to be bailed out; they will undergo immigration trials on November 4, without any chance for bail."
Casio also clarified that the Bataan offshore gambling operation center has no connection with the "Lucky South 99" in Danleng Province. "We have not detected any dangerous signals related to the Guo Huaping case; it seems to be a different organization. Guo Huaping and Lucky South 99 belong to a Chinese criminal organization, while these illegal offshore gambling companies in Bataan are related to Malaysian criminal gangs," he added.
