MISAMIS Oriental’s 2nd District Representative Yevgeny Vincente Emano expressed confidence in the House of Representatives’ handling of the ongoing investigation into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) operations, particularly those linked to Tony Yang, an alleged Pogo operator in Cagayan de Oro.
Speaking on September 30 during the proclamation of the Paglaum-Padayon coalition’s slate, Emano cautioned against prematurely judging public officials and law enforcers who appear in social media photos with Yang.
He emphasized that only the congressional Quadcomm committee can determine whether such interactions were innocent, such as casual dinners or selfies, or involved illegal activities.
“Delikado na karon magpaselfie,” Emano warned, acknowledging the challenges public officials face in managing photo opportunities at public events.
He also commented on the involvement of Phividec Industrial Estate in the Pogo controversy, urging the agency to continue accepting investors despite the temporary setback.
Cagayan de Oro’s 1st District Representative Lordan Suan echoed Emano’s call for a thorough investigation. Suan described the alleged Pogo operations as “ngilngig,” citing a pattern of Chinese syndicates influencing local politics.
He pointed to the arrest of Yang as a critical development and expressed concerns that Pogo operations are linked to serious crimes such as torture, human trafficking, and drugs.
Suan vowed to actively participate in the Quadcomm hearings, underscoring the need to uncover whether any local officials are involved in the illegal activities associated with Pogo hubs.
