House probe on ‘gambling activities’ in economic zones sought

A party-list lawmaker has asked Congress to probe into possibly rampant illegal gambling activities in special economic zones with high concentration of foreigners.

House Resolution 2255 filed by Abakada party-list Rep. Jonathan Dela Cruz directs the House Committee on good government and public accountability to investigate the possible proliferation of illegal gambling operations in the SEZs in the guise of gaming and information technology operations.

Dela Cruz sought the inquiry after issues surrounding the possible violations of immigration, investments and taxation laws were unearthed during the House investigation of the alleged bribery of lawmakers by suspected Chinese syndicate leader Wang Bo.

Wang Bo was placed on the watch lists of both the government of the People’s Republic of China and the international police because of his supposed involvement in an illegal gambling operation with other Chinese nationals, the lawmaker said.

Wang Bo had denied the allegation he is a fugitive and told lawmakers that he had obtained the proper visa to work in an IT company located at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone.

He was later deported after the House and the Department of Justice found no evidence linking him to the alleged bribery of lawmakers and Immigration officials.

Dela Cruz said that over the course of the hearings on Wang Bo, he was bothered by the possibility that illegal gambling operators might also be engaged in massive tax evasion and other crimes.

He also expressed concern over how easily companies —especially those engaging in so-called “new and improved information and communications technology systems”—obtain registration papers from the Securities and Exchange Commission, and subsequently, get into business in SEZs.

“The easy and loose manner by which these companies have been given ‘legal status’ to conduct their businesses has resulted in the spike in criminal activities including but not limited to money laundering, bribery and corruption of public officials,” Dela Cruz said. — Xianne Arcangel/LBG, GMA News