Buildings seized from illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) could potentially be repurposed for use by government agencies following civil forfeiture cases.
That’s according to Gilbert Cruz, Undersecretary of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
“That’s very feasible. The properties we seized, such as those in Bamban, are exceptionally nice,” Cruz said during the Bagong Pilipinas (New Philippines) pre-State of the Nation interview, highlighting the quality of the raided POGO hubs in Bamban, Tarlac.
Cruz reported that at least five of these raided POGO hubs, along with the seized vehicles, are currently undergoing civil and criminal forfeiture processes in favor of the government.
“For example, one of the properties we forfeited in Pasay is now being used by the Department of Social Welfare and Development to house rescued victims,” Cruz explained.
“We also converted another property into a detention facility for individuals apprehended from POGOs, due to the Bureau of Immigration’s lack of detention space. I suggested we improvise the 6th floor as a jail, and that’s where the detainees are now held,” he added.
The civil and criminal forfeiture process is governed by Republic Act 1379, which mandates the forfeiture of any property unlawfully acquired by public officers or employees.
Cruz also suggested that the raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga, could be converted into a school. “These buildings have boarding houses, so they could be used to accommodate students,” he said.
He noted that during the previous administration, there were about 448 POGOs in the country, but only 46 have renewed their licenses with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR).
“We are still pursuing 402 illegal POGOs,” Cruz stated.
According to Cruz, these illegal POGOs often use their licenses as a facade, presenting them to authorities during inspections while engaging in scamming and other illegal activities.
He added that 10 out of the 12 recently raided POGO hubs had foreign workers who are fugitives.
