Gov’t gets P189M, Pogo assets in forfeiture case
The Makati Regional Trial Court (RTC) has forfeited in favor of the government some P189 million in cash and assets worth billions from a Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) that was found allegedly running a scam center in Pampanga province.
Judge Antonio Ray Ortiguera of the Makati RTC Branch 148 issued the ruling on April 24 against Colorful and Leap Group Co., a subsidiary of CGC Technologies Inc. operating inside the Clark Sun Valley Hub in Mabalacat City, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Saturday.
Cash in various currencies equivalent to P189 million was confiscated during the raid conducted by law enforcers on the Pogo complex on May 2, 2023.
The PAOCC said it was still waiting for the exact value of the assets from the Clark Development Corp. (CDC), but said these include the facilities and vehicles.
“Yes, this is the very first of its kind,” PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said in a Viber message to the Inquirer, referring to the court ruling forfeiting assets seized from Pogos, companies that the Marcos administration had banned since last year.
The PAOCC raided the complex for alleged violation of Republic Act No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act. Six search warrants and a warrant for the seizure and examination of computer data were secured from Malolos City RTC Branch 81.
“The operation unearthed human trafficking and cyberfrauds like fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, including romance scams, all conducted under the facade of offshore gambling,” the PAOCC said.
It recalled that 1,137 foreign nationals and 129 Filipinos were rescued during the raid, most of them trafficked and forced to work as online scammers, all “under the pretext of a legitimate offshore gaming business.”
The agency said some P189.6 million worth of foreign currencies—US dollars, Vietnamese dong, Chinese yuan, Hong Kong dollars, Macau pataca, Thai baht and Cambodian riel—were recovered.
According to the PAOCC, suspects or respondents in the civil action that was filed “desperately denied ownership of the confiscated monies, asserting that there was no showing that these were products of any unlawful activity, and even to the point of assailing the case venue.”
It said the court was not swayed by their explanations and ordered the confiscation in favor of the government.
Protecting the freeport
The PAOCC said a notice of the decision had been sent to the jail warden of the Angeles City District Jail for the detained respondents, namely Hong Li Ji aka “Jason/Big Boss;” He Feng aka “Ajun;” Tan Yong aka “Dolly/Beta;” Zhang Suo Hua aka “Hao Yun;” Ifandi aka “Ace;” Fendi aka “Ryu/Leon;” Zhao Jiang Ming aka “Shuke;” and Lee Swee Wah aka “Ken.”
The PAOCC said CDC had ordered the immediate cessation of all business operations in the eight buildings and one warehouse that were covered by the raid at Sun Valley Hub.
The CDC, it added, also issued a cease-and-desist order and suspended the certificates of registration and tax exemption for the concerned entities following the raid
The PAOCC quoted Agnes Devanadera, president and CEO of Clark Development Corp., as saying that the orders were not mere administrative actions “but categorical assertions of CDC’s unwavering mandate to enforce the law and preserve the sanctity of the free port.”
Devanadera said Clark Freeport Zone “is not and will not ever be a sanctuary for illegal operations, regulatory violations, or for corporate misconduct and underscored its commitment to uphold public trust and the integrity of the Freeport Zone.”
Repurposing assets
PAOCC Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz said the eight buildings and a warehouse are now under the custody of CDC.
He said the buildings “may be repurposed not only to recoup the supposed legitimate earnings of the government but also for its other future economic pursuits.”
“We will persevere in our collective efforts with decisive law enforcement actions and a sound legal approach to dismantle transnational crime groups operating in the country,” he added.
Cruz said the launch of integrated operations, coupled with the forfeiture proceedings, showcased the value of inter-agency coordination and strengthened President Marcos’ resolve that illegal Pogos and the illicit activities associated with them must be dealt with accordingly. —WITH A REPORT FROM JUN A. MALIG
