Tunnels, villas and luxury cars found inside alleged Tarlac POGO scam hub

A swimming pool, several tunnels and luxury cars were among the discoveries inside a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub that was allegedly used for illegal activities by scammers in Bamban, Tarlac.

In an exclusive report from Saleema Refran on 24 Oras, the 10-hectare Zun Yuan Technology complex that was raided by a joint team of Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) had more than just offices and dormitories.

There were also villas that were reportedly reserved for high ranking officials and VIPs as well as an olympic-sized swimming pool.

Aside from allegations of scams, human trafficking and illegal detention, the compound was also hiding other secrets.

There is a network of tunnels underneath the villas. Authorities said the tunnels led outside the compound.

PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio said the underground passageways might have been used by other suspects to make good their escape.

“Posible kasi na yung mga nakatakas ay dumaan po sa underground tunnels. Mayroon kasing open na mga gates doon sa ibang tunnels pwedeng doon sila nagtakasan.

(It’s possible those who escaped underground. There were open gates in some of the tunnels.)

Inside the villas were expensive furniture and appliances. There were also safety vaults in several rooms.

Outside were parked several SUVs and luxury cars.

The massive compound is located beside the Bamban Municipal Hall.

Casio said Bamban town officials should have been more vigilant when it allowed the establishment of the amusement and gaming hub in 2020.

“Lahat po ng POGO, lahat ng (internet gaming license) operators kinakailangan po magkaroon niyan ng Letter of No Objection galing sa city council. Dapat bago nag release ng LONO yung munisipyo dinouble, di lang double, triple o quadruple check kasi nga nakita natin yung mga ebidensya ng scamming dito sa loob,” he said.

The Department of Justice is also investigating the case.

Prior to the March raid, the compound was also raided last February this year due to allegations of a cryptocurrency scam when it was licensed under the Hongsheng Gaming technology.

An “Alice Guo” applied for the franchise and license for Hongsheng based on the Resolution of No Objection that was passed by the Sangguniang Bayan ng Bamban.

Alice Guo is also the name of the mayor of Bamban.

An electric bill for the complex is also under the name of Mayor Guo.

GMA Integrated News went to the office of Mayor Guo to get her side but she was not there. We are waiting for her office to respond to our request for an interview.

Heavily armed police personnel are currently guarding the compound while authorities continue their search and investigation.

Nearly 300 foreigners who were arrested inside the POGO hub were brought to Pasay City over the weekend.—RF, GMA Integrated News