RPPe House quad committee targets syndicate tied to POGOs and illegal drugs, vows to bring perpetrators to justice; hearings start Aug. 15

THE newly formed quad committee in the House of Representatives is on a mission to craft remedial legislation and bring to justice those behind a powerful syndicate linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and illegal drug trade in the country.

The House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Human Rights, and Public Accounts will begin their joint investigation on August 15 into the interconnected issues of POGOs, illegal drugs, and extrajudicial killings (EJKs) related to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

This historic initiative marks the first time such a comprehensive effort has been undertaken by four House committees to address an urgent national issue.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, who chairs the dangerous drugs panel, said the committees have uncovered evidence of a “criminal organization” operating in the country, using drug money to corrupt government officials and secure fake documents to pose as Filipinos. 

He said these criminals then acquire properties or land, setting up fronts for legitimate businesses like POGOs.

“Sa aming teorya naniniwala kami, because the four committees that have been conducting all these hearings, mayroon pong overlapping and commonalities in the issues that we are tackling,” Barbers said in a press conference.

Barbers was joined by other chairpersons—Reps. Dan Fernandez of Santa Rosa City (Public Order and Safety), Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr. of Manila 6th District (Human Rights), and Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano of Abang Lingkod Party-list (Public Accounts)—as well as Antipolo City 2nd District Rep. Romeo Acop, who is part of all four committees.

Barbers’ committee has been investigating the P3.6-billion shabu seizure in Mexico, Pampanga, last year, uncovering potential involvement of businessman and former presidential adviser Michael Yang in the illegal drug trade. 

Yang, who once served as an adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte, was linked to Empire 999 Realty Corp., the owner of the warehouse where the shabu was found.

The initial probe led to further inquiries by Paduano's panel into properties acquired with local government connivance, implicating former Mexico Mayor Teddy Tumang and San Simon Mayor Abundio Punsalan Jr. in Pampanga. 

Investigations revealed that numerous hectares of land were being bought by corporations with Chinese national incorporators.

Abante’s committee is investigating extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug war, aiming to address human rights violations comprehensively and ensure justice for the victims.

Fernandez recently presented a detailed matrix revealing a complex network of Chinese nationals involved in illegal POGOs and drug trafficking.

The creation of the committee followed an ocular inspection by Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and several lawmakers, including the four chairpersons, of Chinese-operated POGO hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga, and the Mexico warehouse.

Barbers said the quad committee will produce a report recommending remedial legislation and holding those responsible accountable.

“We will recommend prosecution against people in government that are involved in this shenanigan and of course ‘yung remedial legislation

na magiging bunga nito,” Barbers said.

“Ang objective dito kasi isang malaking criminal organization ang aming teorya na nag-o-operate sa ating bansa and because of that, we will have to

come up with a legislation to ensure that this will not happen anymore kung meron tayong batas,” he added. (END)