Philippine authorities have filed graft charges against suspended Porac, Pampanga Mayor Jaime Capil and several other local officials, accusing them of involvement in the illegal activities of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO). The case, which has garnered significant attention, centers on the operations of Lucky South 99, an alleged illegal POGO hub that authorities claim engaged in cyber scams and human trafficking in Central Luzon.
The graft complaints, filed by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), involve accusations against Capil and a number of other officials, including Vice Mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo, Emerald Vital, who serves as the town’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) Officer-in-Charge, and eight members of the Sangguniang Bayan. All face charges related to violations under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, specifically sections 3(e), (f), and (j) of Republic Act 3019, according to Philippine News Agency.
The charges stem from allegations that Capil and his co-accused hastily approved permits for Lucky South 99 between 2021 and 2023, despite incomplete or blank application forms. According to the DOJ, the officials involved failed to act on multiple law enforcement reports that flagged potential criminal activities occurring at the gaming operation, including human trafficking.
The Rise of Lucky South 99 and the Local Officials’ Alleged Complicity
Lucky South 99, an offshore gaming operation now accused of conducting cyber scams and trafficking, was granted operational permits under questionable circumstances. Authorities contend that these permits were rushed through the approval process, even when there were red flags concerning the legality of the operation.
According to the complaints, the local officials, led by Capil, allegedly turned a blind eye to reports from law enforcement agencies, which had raised concerns about the illicit activities being conducted at Lucky South 99. These operations were said to involve large-scale scams targeting unsuspecting individuals through illegal gambling platforms, as well as involvement in human trafficking.
Bulacan Provincial Prosecutor Ramoncito Ocampo Jr. emphasized that the charges filed are the result of extensive collaboration between the PAOCC, the DOJ, and PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which meticulously built a case following months of investigations and coordination. Ocampo noted that the case underscores the government’s commitment to rooting out corruption and criminal involvement within local governance, particularly in areas linked to illegal gambling activities.
Broader Implications of the Crackdown on Illegal POGOs
This latest case is part of a broader government crackdown on illegal POGO operations across the Philippines. In a related move, authorities recently apprehended Lyu Dong, another individual indirectly tied to Lucky South 99’s operations, as the government intensifies efforts to eliminate illegal offshore gambling in the country.
The issue of POGOs has been a contentious one, with increasing concerns over their links to criminal enterprises, including human trafficking, financial fraud, and other illegal activities. The Philippine government, under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., has committed to shutting down all remaining POGO operations by the end of 2024.
The graft charges against Capil and his colleagues mirror the case of former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping, who was accused of similar involvement with illegal gaming hubs before fleeing the Philippines. Guo was later apprehended in Indonesia and deported back to the Philippines to face charges. These cases highlight the government’s determination to pursue not just illegal operators but also the public officials who facilitate their operations.
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