The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has confirmed that Chinese military uniforms were discovered in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga, which is still under investigation.
Three sets of uniforms bearing markings of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were found among the 17 buildings authorities have so far examined, said PAOCC Chief Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz.
Authorities have yet to probe 28 more buildings in Lucky South 99's 10-hectare compound.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) assuaged the public's fear that the Chinese military had invaded the country by way of POGO operations. In a text to DZRH, AFP Spokesperson Col. Francel Padilla assured the uniforms found may have only been used as props for online scams.
"It is important to note that POGO operations have been known to engage in various illegal activities, including online scams. The presence of Chinese military uniforms may likely be used as props in these illicit online transactions." Padilla said at a press briefing on Tuesday, June 11. "The limited number of PLA uniforms found suggests they are more indicative of use in deceptive activities rather than any preparation for an invasion."
"We do not want to cause unnecessary panic," she stated.
Philippine Navy Spokesperson Commodore Roy Vincent Trinidad affirmed POGOs are yet to pose a threat to national security.
"We haven’t yet reached that point," Trinidad said. "The moment we get there, there will be appropriate announcements to be made."
Lawmakers, however, expressed alarm over the discovery, calling POGOs an issue of national security.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement that having found supposed PLA uniforms confirms the links between POGOs and "foreign intelligence assets," as Philippine intelligence agencies have gathered.
"Someone is hellbent on compromising our sovereignty," Hontiveros asserted.
"The implications of these uniforms should send chills down our spine. It is so clear that every POGO has exploited our economic vulnerabilities and that POGOs have now evolved into a breeding ground for crime and a national security threat," she added.
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian argued that this was "clear evidence" proving POGOs a "national security threat."
"It has opened the doors not only to criminal syndicates, but also to those who want to destabilize and infiltrate our government and political institutions," Gatchalian declared.
Chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada felt the discovery only demonstrates the extent of these "unscrupulous" operators' scams, describing it as "beyond comprehension." He also said that, regardless of the authenticity of the uniforms, the country's authorities must not disregard the incident.
