Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo reiterated that she is not connected to or protector of the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) that was discovered in her town.
In her official statement on Monday, Guo said the POGO hub located in their municipality is registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), noting that she has no control over scrutinizing the firm named Zun Yuan Technology, Inc. (ZYTI).
"Ang pagkakaalam ko po ay mayroong opisina ang PAGCOR doon mismo sa loob ng POGO hub sa Baofu Compound upang subaybayan, bantayan at i-regualted ang takbo ng nasabing lisensyadong POGCOR operator," the mayor said.
"Ang PAGCOR, bilang siya ang may kapasidad na magmonitor at magtaya ng anomang ilegal na online activities, ang may pangunahing responsibilidad upang --red flag, o supiin ang ano mang paglabag sa bata o gawaing kriminal ng Zun Yuan, o mga opisyales at tauhan nito," she furthered.
Aside from not receiving any complaints about the raided POGO hub, their office, according to Guo, has always been open, as it is their responsibility to their people.
Guo claimed that the POGO hub gave livelihoods to more than 200 families in Bamban.
"Bahagi po ng aking sinumpaang tungkulin ang opagkakaloon ng serbisuo sa mamamayan ng Bamban, kasama rito ang anomang lehitimong pangkabuhayan para sa aming nasasakupan 'tulad ng maayos na trabaho, na siyang dahilan kung bakit ibinigay ko ang pahintulot ng lokal na pamahalaan para sa pagtayo ng negosyo ng Zun Yuan," said the Mayor.
It can be recalled during the first hearing in the Senate when Guo was questioned by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian concerning the captured Tarlac Electric Co. (Tarelco) statement of account from the raided firm, which was named after her.
A vehicle was also seized in the area registered under her name, which she earlier clarified was no longer under her custody.
ZYTI was first named Hong Sheng but was raided in February 2023. It was later renamed ZYTI which was raided again in March 2024 for its alleged surveillance activities and hacking websites.
Around 800 employees, including around 500 foreigners, of whom 427 were Chinese nationals, were rescued by authorities.
