Chinese Military Uniforms Found in POGO Compound Confirmed as Authentic
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has confirmed that the Chinese military uniforms discovered in a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) compound in Porac, Pampanga are authentic but dated. This revelation came after consultations with military experts within the intelligence community.
Possibilities Explored
PAOCC spokesperson Winston John Casio outlined two possibilities: either veteran Chinese military personnel are involved with the POGO hub, or the uniforms are part of a militaria collection. “Pending strong evidence of espionage, we consider the uniforms as collector’s items,” Casio stated in a public briefing.
One of the uniforms found bore the initials “P.L.A.”, suspected to stand for the People’s Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Chinese Communist Party.
Military Experts Weigh In
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) suggested that the limited number of uniforms indicates they were likely used as props in illicit online transactions rather than for military preparations. AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla noted that the uniforms are more indicative of deceptive activities.
Additional Findings
Authorities also found an alleged “outstanding badge” of a Chinese military sergeant in the same POGO hub. If proven authentic, it could indicate the involvement of a veteran Chinese soldier or police officer. Casio warned of the severe implications if military spies were embedded in these illegal online gaming operations, which he described as “conduits of money laundering.”
Broader Context and Response
The raid on the 10-hectare POGO establishment was part of an operation based on a human trafficking complaint. The facility was implicated in various criminal activities, including human trafficking, sex trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and scamming. Over a hundred POGO workers were arrested, many charged with immigration violations and involvement in illegal activities.
National Security Concerns
Casio highlighted that many canceled POGO licenses have turned into scam farms, with estimates suggesting there could be up to 402 active scam farms across the country. He also noted the presence of online gaming sites near Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites, stressing the need for regulatory agencies to ensure no scam farms are located near these sensitive areas.
Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. emphasized that criminal syndicates posing as POGOs are a national security concern, undermining the country’s financial stability and societal integrity.