The Office of the Ombudsman in the Philippines has implemented a preventive suspension against 11 local officials from the town of Porac in Pampanga Province, due to their failure to address the illegal activities of an unlicensed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) center, "Lucky South 99". This decision stems from a complaint raised by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), accusing these officials of gross negligence.
The suspended individuals include Porac town Mayor Jaime Capil, Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, and the acting head of the Business Permits Office, Emerald Vital. Additionally, eight members of the Sangguniang Bayan are also involved in the case, including Rohner Buan and Rafael Canlapan. Ombudsman Samuel Martirez issued an 11-page directive on October 7th, aimed at preventing any tampering with evidence or pressuring of witnesses.
Negligence and Licensing Violations
The case revolves around the continued operations of Lucky South 99, which obtained business permits from 2021 to 2023 despite lacking regulatory requirements and holding an expired license from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). Moreover, the center did not obtain a business permit in 2024, raising concerns about the officials' negligence.
The Ombudsman pointed out that the officials' inaction allowed the gaming operator to continue its activities, including human trafficking, torture, and fraud. The POGO center was raided by law enforcement in June, exposing these serious criminal activities.
Human Trafficking and Criminal Activities
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) together with the Philippine National Police (PNP) raided the Lucky South 99 facility on June 4th, rescuing over 200 individuals including citizens from China, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The raid also uncovered potential burial sites within the facility, indicating further criminal involvement by the gaming center.
The DILG's complaint highlights that Capil continued to issue business permits even after the PAGCOR license expired in October 2023. He failed to address reports concerning human trafficking, cybercrime, and illegal detention, exacerbating the charges of his severe negligence.
