Senator Sherwin Gatchalian received threats over his "active participation" in the Senate investigation over the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) connected to suspended Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and her family.
"On July 4, 2024, I was informed by my staff of a video circulating online containing explicit threats directed at my personal safety and well-being," the Senator wrote in a letter addressed to PMaj. Paul Benjamin Mandane, Sub-Station Commander of Pasay City Police Station Substation 1.
Based on the said video, it was claimed that Mayor Guo allegedly paid P5 million to "silence" Gatchalian and another P5 million to Senator Risa Hontiveros to halt the investigation into the raided POGO hub in Bamban, Tarlac.
Gatchalian said the creation and online dissemintaion of the said video raised "substantial concern" for both his safety and the safety of others around him.
Due to this, the Senator requested authorities conduct a thorough investigation and take urgent action on the matter.
"I urge you to take swift action to ensure the safety of myself and those associated with me," the Lawmaker said.
Gatchalian and Hontiveros were the ones who raised the Senate investigation of the illegal POGO raid in Bamban named Zun Yuan Technology early this year, which led to the discovery of Guo's involvement.
This has also led to Guo's revelation of her true identity. The investigation later revealed that Guo and her family were Chinese citizens.
On Friday, Gatchalian weighed in on the social and economic costs of banning POGOs as he led the Committee on Ways and Means hearing on bills seeking to regulate, if not totally ban online gambling.
Hontiveros has yet to release a statement on the matter.
