During a joint investigation by four House panels into the possible links between Philippine offshore gaming companies, illegal drug trade, and extrajudicial killings, Representative Robert Ace Barbers of the second district of Northern Samar stated that Philippine offshore gaming companies have become centers for kidnapping, extortion, murder, torture, human trafficking, money laundering, cybercrime, online fraud, and other "outrageous" crimes.
He mentioned that separate investigations by the Dangerous Drugs Committee, Human Rights Committee, Committee on Public Accounts, and the Committee on Public Order and Safety confirmed the existence of a large Chinese criminal group undermining government security. This group also brings "hot money" into the country, laundering it through casinos and online gaming firms.
Barbers said: "Once legalized, this money is used to buy government influence. This influence enables the group's members to bribe more government officials, who then issue forged identification documents, cards, and certificates based on falsified information, thus granting them fake Philippine identities and citizenship."
He stated that POGO has become a "faster tool" for group members to land and become legitimate tourists, investors, students, and even citizens. "These dubious Philippine-controlled companies then start buying up properties and real estate extensively, with drugs and POGO funds as their main sources of capital. This is facilitated by some local government officials and employees who promote these illegal transactions."
Barbers indicated that the purpose of the four-party committee is to develop legislative solutions and assist in the prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators, conspirators, and masterminds of the entire criminal network.
