Senate to Probe Banks on POGO Money Laundering

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

- With Evelyn Macairan, Emmanuel Tupas

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.

BI to crack down on companies

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