On Monday, members from the House of Representatives conducted an on-ground inspection of the two-raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga.

The inspection was led by House Speaker Martin Romualdez together with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) headed by Usec. Gilbert Cruz.

Romualdez was joined by fellow Representatives, Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Representative Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Dan Fernandez, Antonio Ferrer, Robert Ace Barbers, and Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano who chair the Committees on Public Order and Safety, Games and Amusements, Dangerous Drugs, and Public Accounts, respectively.

Deputy Majority Leader Janette Garin and Reps. Johnny Ty Pimentel, and Romeo Acop also joined the inspection.

Authorities visited the Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga and the Zun Yuan Technology hub in Bamban, Tarlac.

Apart from the two raided POGOs, they also did an ocular inspection of Warehouse 1 owned by Empire 999 Realty Corp. in Mexico, Pampanga.

The inspection was done as part of the ongoing investigation of the House of Representatives into the criminal activities related to the POGO operations, specifically human trafficking, torture, murder, money laundering, and more.

During a press conference held after the inspecton, Speaker Romualdez highlighted the House's role in legislative oversight to combat criminality and uphold the rule of law.

Representatives Fernandez and Barbers then proceeded to share the House's initial findings connecting POGOs with illegal drugs and money laundering operations.

The House's thorough investigation into POGOs highlights the government's commitment to tackling illegal activities, protecting communities, and holding perpetrators accountable. Additionally, the House is working on strict legislative measures to eliminate POGOs and prevent their return, in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s ban on them.