- Baste says label misused to discredit father
A RECENT National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raid on an illegal offshore gambling operation in Buhangin has created discord between Acting Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and law enforcers over the use of the term “POGO.”
While the NBI seized computers and arrested eight Chinese nationals for what it called an “illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator,” Duterte insisted that the term is being misused, declaring, “POGO is not here anymore.”
The acting mayor, in a recent “Basta Dabawenyo” episode, criticized the continued use of “POGO,” labeling it a “politically abused” term used to discredit former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“They keep bringing back the POGO label because that’s their attack on the previous administration,” Duterte said.
He clarified that any existing gambling operations are illegal offshore platforms, not licensed POGOs, and urged the public to “use the proper term.”
He added, “Bahala Kayo…mag aksaya Kayo ng panahon kung gusto nyo.“
However, the NBI stands by its use of the term.
Last week, the NBI Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO) filed a case against the eight Chinese nationals arrested during the Aug. 12 raid of a house in Montclair Highlands.
According to NBI XI director Atty. Arcelito Albao, the operation was prompted by a homeowner’s complaint.
“I received information that there were a lot of Chinese nationals in the wee hours of the evening,” Albao told reporters, adding that surveillance confirmed they were conducting “illegal online operations or POGO.”
With the homeowners association’s cooperation, agents accessed the house and seized 10 computers and several mobile phones.
Albao stated the arrested individuals admitted to their involvement in a POGO operation and confirmed that the NBI will subpoena others involved, including the homeowner.
Albao noted that this is the second illegal gambling operation caught in Davao since December, but the NBI is actively monitoring others. “Here in Davao, there aren’t that many. Since December [Panabo operation], this is the second, but we are monitoring another new one,” Albao said.
He also explained the challenge of processing evidence, as the confiscated computers and phones use Chinese characters, requiring interpretation.
