A SCATHING indictment of Chinese criminal infiltration into the Philippines and the complicity of Filipino officials was delivered at the conclusion of the House Quad Comm’s final public hearing on Monday.
Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers, co-chair of the Quad Comm and chair of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, delivered a powerful statement: “The Chinese raped us, but we helped them rape us.”
The Quad Comm, comprised of four House panels investigating links between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), human trafficking, drug smuggling, and extrajudicial killings, described their findings as shocking, likening the extent of the criminal network to a “mafia movie” involving Chinese nationals and Filipino collaborators.
Rep. Barbers condemned the actions of Filipino leaders and civil servants who aided these criminal activities, using strong language to describe their betrayal.
The investigation points to Executive Order (EO) No. 13, issued during the Duterte administration, as a key factor enabling the growth of POGOs and the subsequent rise in transnational crime, including human trafficking, crypto scams, money laundering, and murder. Former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo (allegedly Guo Hua Ping, a Chinese national using fraudulent documents) was named as a key figure, highlighting the infiltration of the political system.
The evidence presented suggests a well-organized Chinese criminal syndicate operating through shell corporations and corrupt officials. Links were drawn to major drug cases, including a P3.6-billion shabu bust, and figures such as former Presidential Adviser Michael Yang and Wei Xiong Lin.
Laguna Representative Dan Fernandez, chair of the House Committee on Public Order and Safety, expressed concern over the continued presence of POGOs despite an executive ban, noting that over 10,000 POGO workers remain at large.
He advocated for increased personnel and investigators within the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). Charges have already been filed against several key POGO figures, including Guo Hua Ping, Katherine Cassandra Ong, and Atty. Harry Roque.
To address legal loopholes, Congress has filed House Bill No. 10987 to repeal EO 13 and the POGO taxation law, RA 11590. Both Representatives emphasized the need for accountability and justice for victims and the Filipino people.
