‘Casinos becoming criminal havens’

MANILA, Philippines - Certain casinos in the country might have become havens of international crime syndicates and their illegal activities, Valenzuela Rep. Sherwin Gatchalian warned authorities yesterday.

He said he is alarmed over the growing number of transnational crimes here, citing reports that organized syndicates and assassins from China are now making their rounds in the gaming industry.

The arrest of Jerry Sy in December 2013 at the parking lot of a Pasay City casino should not be treated as an ordinary case of illegal possession of firearms, and law enforcement agencies must see the pattern of multifaceted crimes involving illegal businesses and activities in the Philippines, he said.

It is not farfetched that some groups resembling the Chinese mafia have already infiltrated the casinos, he said.

“The case of Jerry Sy is quite intriguing. The police cannot build a case against him simply because his true identity is obscured. He has no passport, no record of entry from the Bureau of Immigration, no valid ID, no address, no personal records whatsoever. These things alone should already ring an alarm to authorities as a transnational crime,” he added.

Sy was arrested for carrying a cache of high-powered guns and explosives but his case was later dismissed by the Pasay prosecutor’s office simply because the arresting police officers failed to present the necessary documents.

He was also able to post bail on the charge of illegal possession of drugs (shabu), which was found in his car.

Gatchalian said Philippine National Police official should look into the case, as responding policemen might have bungled it purposely to let the suspect go scot-free.

He said he has information that loan sharks and China-based tour operators flying in high-stakes gamblers employ assassins and crime gangs that do their job swiftly and without a trace.

He said it is not a remote possibility that these criminals are getting protection from some corrupt police officers.          

“The Philippines has become an alternative destination for high rollers because there are no gaming restrictions here. In Macau, Chinese players can only enter the territory on a limited engagement,” he added.

Gatchalian is filing a resolution calling for a House investigation into the Jerry Sy mystery when Congress reconvenes on Jan. 20.