The letter, according to him, revealed that the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines sought the assistance of the NBI in February to rescue a male Chinese national, identified as Co Xialong, who is allegedly being “illegally detained” by Brickhartz Technology Inc. at ShuangMa Industrial Park in Cavite.This, the legislator noted, is a cause for alarm as he noted that the incident shows how some Pogos continue to engage in outlawed activities.
“Also, this speaks volumes of the industry’s wanton disregard and mockery of our laws on peace and order,” he said. Gatchalian also pointed out that Brickhartz Technology was among the erring Pogo firms mentioned by Senator Grace Poe during her privilege speech in December last year.Gatchalian then cited another letter dated March 17 from Central Luzon police chief Brig. Gen. Jose Hidalgo Jr, who recounted a raid conducted by the Philippine National Police-Anti-Kidnapping Group within the premises of now-shut down Pogo company Lucky South 99 in Pampanga last September.
Even with these reported Pogo-related crimes, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporations in January said that it had not monitored illegal activities concerning the offshore gaming industry for more than three monthsThe state gaming firm said this was a result of an inter-agency crackdown on illicit gaming operations in the country.