CLARK Freeport — A Makati court has ordered the forfeiture of over P189 million in assets seized from a raided Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hub in Clark Freeport, Pampanga, nearly two years after a major crackdown on illegal activities in this free port.
Assets seized from Colorful and Leap Group, a subsidiary of CGC Technologies Inc., which operated at the Clark Sun Valley Hub were ordered forfeited in favor of the government by th Regional Trial Court in Makati.
The facility was raided on May 4, 2023, based on six search warrants issued by Branch 81 of the RTC in the City of Malolos, for alleged violations of the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC), in coordination with law enforcement agencies, led the successful prosecution that resulted in the forfeiture order issued by Branch 148 of the RTC in Makati.
Government authorities said the group was involved in human trafficking and cyber-enabled fraud, including romance scams and fake cryptocurrency investments, under the guise of offshore gaming.
The raid led to the rescue of 1,137 foreigners and 129 Filipinos, many of whom were reportedly forced into online scams, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc) reported.
“The forfeiture of these illicit assets and the decisive regulatory actions by the Clark Development Corporation convey a formidable message: the government will not permit its territories to serve as safe havens for organized crime,” Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, Paocc chief, said.
“We shall persist in our efforts to pursue and dismantle these criminal enterprises through coordinated, relentless enforcement and legal measures,” Cruz added.
Authorities also seized vaults containing cash in differebt currencies, including P187.8 million, US$1.7 million, and other foreign currencies such as Chinese yuan, Vietnamese dong, and Thai baht.
The Clark Development Corporation (CDC) confirmed it has exercised its regulatory authority, ordering the shutdown of all business operations in eight buildings and one warehouse within the Sun Valley Hub. This includes Buildings A to F and Buildings 1 and 2.
“The revocation of certifications, forfeiture of securities, and termination of sub-lease approvals are not mere administrative actions, they are categorical assertions of CDC’s unwavering mandate to enforce the law and preserve the sanctity of the free port,” CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes Devanadera said.
