Senate to probe banks on POGO money laundering

MANILA, Philippines —  The Senate will pursue its probe on the failure of banks to detect the money laundering activities of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he would file a resolution seeking an investigation in light of the Senate women and children committee’s investigation on the involvement of POGOs in serious crimes before President Marcos announced a total POGO ban.

Gatchalian cited the failure of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to detect an estimated P6.1 billion that went to the construction of the POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac linked to dismissed mayor Alice Guo.

“We will pursue that. Money laundering is a serious crime POGOs have perpetuated that was not given the spotlight,” Gatchalian said during the Kapihan sa Senado yesterday.

The Senate has concluded its more-than-a-year-long investigation on POGOs and its involvement in human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, murder and money laundering.

Its highlight was the discovery that Guo, an elected mayor and alleged Chinese national, allegedly used her position to set up the Tarlac POGO hub and fake her Filipino citizenship.

She was also accused of being a Chinese spy, which she has denied.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will be running after companies and people caught harboring illegal foreign POGO workers.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated his warning after the lapse of the deadline banning POGO operations last Dec. 31.

Viado said those harboring these illegal POGO workers would face the full force of the law because they should not provide shelter or employment to foreigners without proper documentation.

“The bureau will not hesitate to file charges against anyone found violating Section 46 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. Harboring illegal aliens is a serious offense, and we will pursue violators with the utmost resolve,” he added.

Last Jan. 3, the BI said a manhunt had been launched against the more than 11,000 former POGO workers who failed to leave the country before the deadline.

These foreign workers were previously employed by POGO companies whose licenses had been revoked, making their continued stay in the