The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has confirmed that it has no jurisdiction over Central One Bataan PH Inc., which is legally operating as a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm.
In a meeting of the Bataan Provincial Peace and Order Council on Wednesday, PAGCOR regulatory officer Joseph Lobo confirmed that Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (AFAB) has jurisdiction over the BPO company since it is their locator, and not PAGCOR.
"It was clear naman na established si Central One Bataan under or locator ni AFAB and under E.O. 13 which defines kung ano yung jurisdiction ng online gaming between CEZA, APECO and AFAB," Lobo clarified.
"It was clear naman na kay AFAB yung jurisdiction since locator nila 'yon at wala kay PAGCOR. What we issued is a license na hindi namin licensee si Central One and we gave the list," he added.
More than 10 employees from Central One Bataan PH, out of the company’s 300 workforce, attended the meeting and shared their experiences during a raid carried out by the combined forces of PNP Region 3, CIDG, and AFP, under the leadership of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
However, no representative from the PAOCC attended the meeting, despite the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirming that PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz had been formally invited.
In the meeting, Atty. Cherry Anne Dela Cruz emphasized that Central One Bataan PH is not a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub and that the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (AFAB) is the regulating body for its operations—not PAGCOR.
She further clarified that the facility is in compliance with BPO regulations and is not engaged in online gambling.
The PAOCC together with Philippine National Police raided Central One PH Inc. last October 31 accusing that the BPO company was operating as a POGO hub, a designation which involves online gambling activities. However, the company denied any involvement in illegal gambling and maintained that it was a legitimate BPO firm.
