Government security forces raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31,2024 alleged to be an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/file

The suspected Philippine offshore gaming operations hub raided by authorities in Bataan on October 31 was reportedly engaged in human trafficking, scamming, and other illegal activities, a Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) official said Saturday.

PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio told Teleradyo Serbisyo that they conducted surveillance operations on Central One Bataan upon receiving a tip regarding the outfits alleged human trafficking activities.

“Nakatanggap kami ng mga report, complaints galing sa mga Pilipino na di umano meron human trafficking activities sa ilang sections ng Central 1 Bataan at may mga scamming activities din,” said Casio.

IN PHOTOS: Authorities raid alleged scam hub in Bataan

“May mga surveillance videos kami. Fully coordinated din po ito.”

Upon securing a search warrant, the PAOCC, together with the PNP-CIDG and AFP raided the compound in Bagac.

“Meron itong lisensya sa authority of freeport of Bataan bilang business process outsourcing, kaya lang ang kanilang activites goes beyond back office, ‘di lang ito customer service,” cited Casio. “May mga tumatanggap ng pataya at nagpe-payout din sila.”

The PAOCC executive added that Central One Bataan, which has been operating since January 2023, also used questionable gaming platforms.

“May paglabag sila sa gaming regulatory policy sapagkat kapag magbibigay po sya ng permit sa offshore gaming or inland gaming kinakailangan may secondary permit galing sa PAGCOR,” he said.

Casio said the management of Central One Bataan is facing charges of violation of Gaming Regulatory Policy and violation of Anti-Trafficking in Persons Law.

Mahigit 700 Pilipino nailigtas mula sa umano'y POGO hub sa Bataan

Casio added that they are building a case to file charges in relation to the Securities and Regulation Code regarding the outfit’s alleged investment scamming activities.

“Dito sa Central One Bataan, ‘di bababa sa tatlo hanggang limang kaso kakaharapin nito,” he said.

“’Di natin papayagan makalabas yung foreign nationals they will be subjected to immigration inquest on Monday. We will not grant them any bail.”

Casio admitted the Bataan POGO is no way connected to the Lucky South 99 in Tarlac.

“Wala kaming nakitang red flag in relation to (Guo) parang ibang organisasyon po ito. Alice Guo and Lucky South 99 belong to Chinese organization. Ito po, these are Malaysian criminal organization,” he said.