By Gabriel Kim Leal
(November 4, 2024) – The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has publicly distanced itself from a recent raid conducted by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on a suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Malate, Manila, criticizing the operation as “flawed.”
The raid, carried out by the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), targeted Quantum Innovative’s offices on Adriatico Street following a tip-off alleging the company’s involvement in POGO activities and related scams.
“The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission was not part of the raid that was spearheaded by the PNP-NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) and the PNP-ACG. We were never consulted nor informed regarding this operation. We never release any foreign nationals caught in POGOs,” said the PAOCC.
“Please do not associate PAOCC with flawed operations.”
The PAOCC noted that all its operations are properly coordinated with the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the Bureau of Immigration.
Sixty-nine foreign employees were detained from what the authorities described as the “mother of all scam hubs.” However, all detainees were released on November 1 due to the lack of formal charges.
Property managers at Century Peak Tower, where the raid took place, raised concerns, claiming the warrant was for Vertex Technology Corporation — a company that vacated the premises in 2023.
They alleged that police entered additional floors not covered by the warrant and tampered with CCTV cameras.
“The fear is that if they can do this and arrest people on this building and detain them only to release them, medyo shaky kung ano ang magiging ground nila for arresting people. So that’s the fear,” said Atty. Baby Perian Arcega, legal counsel for the Century Peak Tower.
The PNP, however, defended its actions, explaining that Quantum Innovative, named in the warrant, was renting the raided office space under a different business name, Quantum Solutions.
“Lumalabas, nagpalit lang ng pangalan ang Quantum Solutions. Ito ay concerning sa violation ng Securities Regulation Code. kaya during the operation. ang kasama ay SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) at PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation). So this is not a trafficking in person case that would require the presence of IACAT and even PAOCC,” said PNP spokesperson P/Col. Jean Fajardo.
The PNP is reportedly preparing charges against Quantum Innovative’s employees based on evidence gathered, including receipts and documents allegedly linking Vertex to the premises.
(With reports from Camille Samonte, News5)
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