POGO Operations & Illegal Activities - Raids uncovered potential scam operations disguised as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in Bamban, Tarlac [2][3] - These POGOs are suspected of being fronts for human trafficking and money laundering activities [3] - Underground tunnels were discovered connecting multimillion-peso villas within the gated community, suggesting a large-scale, organized operation [3] Political Involvement & Corruption - The mayor of Bamban is implicated as potentially being the "biggest catch" in the POGO operations, suggesting a level of political corruption [4] - The mayor's rise to power involved community outreach, including providing relief goods and engaging with senior citizens [6][7] - Allegations suggest the mayor may have misrepresented her citizenship status [10] Community Impact - The community of Bamban is primarily agricultural, and residents were initially unaware of the scale and nature of the POGO operations [5] - The arrival of the mayor and her team brought changes to Bamban, with some residents expressing hope for positive developments [8] - The mayor's campaign involved distributing food and using a helicopter during rallies, which attracted attention and support [7][8]
The Scandal That Rocked the Philippines | Exclusive Preview
Bloomberg Originals·2025-11-19 12:36