Alleged former official of Makati POGO nabbed at top hotel

Authorities have arrested a Chinese man who allegedly was an official in a now-shuttered Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) outfit in Makati City.

In Jun Veneracion’s exclusive report on “24 Oras" on Thursday, security personnel could be seen trailing the suspect in a five-star hotel in Makati. Upon exiting the hotel, he was arrested.

“Dahil luxury hotel po ito, iniiwasan po na magkaroon ng scandal at the same time commotion sa loob,” said Makati Police spokesperson Police Captain Jenibeth Artista.

(Because this was a luxury hotel, there was a need to avoid creating a scandal and commotion on the premises.)

The man is facing 18 counts of qualified theft.

“Siya po ay isang finance executive so siya po ang nagma-manage ng expenses, cash transactions within and outside ng company po,” Artista said.

(He was the finance executive who manages the expenses and cash transactions within and outside the company.)

According to information acquired by the Makati police intelligence unit, the suspect supposedly took millions in cryptocurrency.

The suspect said he was caught off-guard since he was unaware there were any charges filed against him.

When asked for comment, the suspect told GMA Integrated News that he will talk to his lawyer first before making a statement. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/BM, GMA Integrated News