National Bureau of Investigation 11 (NBI 11) Director Atty. Arcelito Albao on Friday claimed that some officials of the local government unit (LGU) of Panabo City in Davao del Norte are possible protectors of the illegal operations of the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the said city.
This developed after operatives from the NBI 11 arrested 59 individuals comprising of 55 Chinese, 3 Malaysians, and one Filipino on Friday for illegally operating POGO in Brgy. Manay, Panabo City.
“Kasi ang lakas ng loob nila magtayo ng POGO sa Panabo despite na bawal na this time. Despite na wala sila mga papel, documents, and permit,” Albao told Edge Davao.
During the operation, authorities confiscated passports, IDs, cellphones, weapons, handcuffs, and baseball bats.
Albao said the arrested individuals started operating about three months ago.
In an interview with a media outlet in Panabo City, Vice Mayor Banjong Uy Dujali III revealed he was surprised and disappointed with the pronouncement made by the NBI 11.
“We condemned ani nga activities kay particularmente ang atong Presidente (Marcos) nagbawal naman niana. Ang alarming kay naa daw involved na opisyal sa local government unit (LGU). As the presiding officer of the city council, we will conduct an investigation in aid of legislation regarding this matter. Dako kaayo ni ug epekto ug kaulaw sa Panabo nga naay opisyales na involved niani,” Dujali said.
Dujali said he will be preparing his privilege speech for the City Council session on Tuesday.
Last month, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a formal order banning POGOs in the country.
In his Executive Order (EO) 74 dated Nov. 5, Marcos cited national security and public order as the paramount reasons for closing down POGOs.
