A freeze order and deportations are on the cards for a group of foreigners linked to an illegal gambling and scam hub in Porac, Philippines.
The country’s Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has instructed the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to seek a freeze on the assets of foreign workers from the raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who chairs the PAOCC, directed the AMLC to apply for a freeze or asset preservation order from an appropriate court.
“The application shall cover all assets within the compound where Lucky South 99 Corporation is situated that are linked to unlawful activity as defined by Republic Act No. 9160, as amended,” read Bersamin’s memorandum to AMLC Executive Director Matthew David on Thursday.
In a separate memorandum signed and released the same day, Bersamin ordered Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla and Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco to deport all 156 foreign nationals in the raided POGO hub.
The first memorandum further stated that the AMLC shall determine, based on the evidence, the specific assets that will be included in the order, which may include but are not limited to the whole compound consisting of 46 buildings where Lucky South 99 Corporation is located and any vehicles parked within the vicinity of it.
PAOCC operatives, together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Special Action Force, and local police carried out a search warrant operation against the Lucky South 99 compound along Friendship Highway in Angeles City on the 4th of June.
The search warrant was issued by the Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 14 against the POGO over reports of human trafficking, torture, and scam activities taking place within the establishment.
