BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The Iloilo City Council, convening as a Committee of the Whole, declared that issues relating to Philippine offshore gaming operators (PGOs) and illegal immigrants lurking in the metropolis are “urgent and critical in nature” and require significant steps to safeguard the city.
In its report, the Committee acknowledged the “troubling presence” of illegal activities being carried out by illegal immigrants ranging from illegal gambling to human trafficking.
“These activities are purportedly conducted under the guise of legitimate businesses in residential areas, commercial buildings, and other locations, serving as fronts for organized criminal enterprise,” read the Committee report.
The City Council conducted an investigation “in aid of legislation” on the reported illegal activities of foreign nationals in the city.
These supposed illicit activities include unregulated gambling, human trafficking, and other similar illegal activities linked to Chinese-operated POGOs.
The probe was an offshoot of the reports received by local legislators that these undocumented aliens are even involved in various illegal activities in the metropolis.
The city councilors said they received reports that Chinese or foreigners are even living in some posh subdivisions in the city.
Rep. Julienne Baronda earlier said officials of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Western Visayas confirmed illegal activities including online gambling operations and other fraudulent schemes and criminal activities by Chinese nationals.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also been asked to investigate the reported proliferation of Chinese nationals lurking in posh subdivisions in the city.
In her letter to DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla dated July 2, Baronda voiced concerns about the influx of Chinese nationals in some parts of Iloilo City, including Puerto Real de Iloilo in La Paz, Monterosa Subdivision in Mandurriao, and Ledesco Subdivision also in La Paz.
Baronda claimed the Chinese nationals reportedly purchased houses worth between P30 million and P50 million and owned luxury vehicles.
The lawmaker appealed to Remulla to instruct his men at the NBI and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to determine whether or not these individuals are engaged in illegal activities.
For his part, Mayor Jerry Treñas said that Iloilo City Police Office Director Police Col. Kim Legada visited the NBI-6 director and discussed the reported presence of Chinese nationals engaging in illegal activities in the city.
“We seek to coordinate with the monitoring and conduct possible law enforcement operations on the illegal activities committed by foreign nationals, especially Chinese individuals,” said Treñas.
In his press briefing on Monday, the mayor even challenged the NBI-6 agents to arrest Chinese nationals who engaged in illegal activities in the city.
“If something illegal is being done, it is incumbent upon the NBI-6 to arrest them. Ano pa ang gina hulat?” Treñas told reporters.
The mayor also suggested that the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration should coordinate to unmask illegal aliens in the city.
“We do not condone illegal activities, whether you are a businessman or what if you are involved in the smuggling of cigarettes,” said Treñas.
Treñas had issued an executive order that provides guidelines on enhanced and stricter monitoring and collaboration with the City Hall departments and the police to address issues related to POGO operations.
Executive Order No. 094 declares the city’s policy on illegal POGOs and urges the police, the City Treasurer’s Office, the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office, and the City Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) to “utilize their powers under the law to investigate any suspected POGO establishments within the city.”
“This investigation shall include establishment illegally of POGOs without the required regulatory requirements, and establishments operating illegally as POGOs but registered as operating under a different line of business,” read Treñas’ executive order.
In its report, the Committee cited President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for a total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators.
“The recent presidential ban underscores the gravity of the situation and reinforces the need for a thorough investigation and prompt action,” the Committee said.
It added the City Council would take significant measures to protect the Ilonggo community against such unscrupulous individuals and their illicit activities.
The Committee also furnished copies of its report to all stakeholders including the Department of Labor and Employment, Bureau of Immigration, the police, and NBI for their prompt action./PN