Mandaue City asked to create task force

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) is planning to request the city government to issue an executive order (EO) for the creation of a task force that will conduct regular inspections of all establishments in the city.

MCPO Chief Cirilo Acosta Jr. said that this initiative aims to ensure that all establishments are properly monitored in light of recent discoveries involving scam hubs, Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hubs, and other illegal activities, particularly within Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies.

The proposed task force will be composed of representatives from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office (BPLO).

“I believe this will be our next move,” said Acosta, in a press conference yesterday.

Acosta said that the EO will help them conduct regular inspections of establishments to ensure that no illicit activities, particularly online scams, are taking place.

This move by the city police director came after a joint inspection conducted last Monday afternoon, May 26, on AS Fortuna St., in Mandaue City, together with the BPLO and other enforcement units, targeting establishments with information technology (IT) operations or hubs.

“This is to ensure nga walay same activity nga nahitabo just like the other cities,” said Acosta.

During their inspection, Acosta said there were no indications of illegal or illicit activities taking place in the area.

On the other hand, BPLO head August Lizer Malazarte, who was also present during the press conference, said that the joint inspection was related to BPO operations, aiming to validate the legitimacy of these businesses in light of the recent incident in Cebu City, with the goal of ensuring that no such operations exist in Mandaue.

Malazarte said that their joint inspection was just the first of many they plan to conduct.

He said that the basis for the inspection was to verify reports of BPO companies operating without permits. Another basis was the presence of unusual operations that do not resemble regular BPO activities. Lastly, the inspection was also based on intelligence gathering, including surveillance conducted by enforcement units and the BPLO.

“So far, we are happy to report yesterday that sa atoang initial nga na inspect nga area all seems legit,” Malazarte said.

Malazarte said that their joint inspection is in line with the national government's anti-POGO efforts, and served as a reiteration and continued strengthening of these initiatives.

In Mandaue, there are less than 100 BPO and IT companies, which Malazarte said made them relatively easy to monitor.

However, he added that they cannot be complacent, as the same thing happened in Cebu City where the operation initially appeared to be a legitimate BPO.

With this, since they cannot immediately identify the nature of the operation, the BPLO used the presence of necessary permits as the first indicator. So far, all establishments in Mandaue have the required permits.

“We will be more aggressive in these types of businesses in the city,” Malazarte added.

Malazarte said that with the executive order and the creation of the task group, their mandate will be more clearly defined in terms of the scope of their actions, as they must ultimately operate within the bounds of the law.

He added that one of their struggles is when businesses do not go through the BPLO to secure permits—for example, when operations are conducted inside high-end subdivisions.

Malazarte noted that a person's right to their home is a constitutional right, which complicates inspections in such cases.

Malazarte noted that the set-up makes it difficult for authorities to enter and conduct inspections unless there is clear evidence of criminal activity.

“Maybe with the executive order ma incorporate unta kung unsay pwede,” said Malazarte.

Malazarte also said that the public can help in preventing scam hubs and other illegal activities to operate, by reporting any questionable, unusual, or suspicious activities or individuals to the BPLO and law enforcement agencies.

Malazarte also reminded building lessors to be cautious and stay informed about the operations of their lessees and tenants.

“We hope with this announcement we can call upon these persons to really help that the law enforcement and our office cannot do it alone, we need the support of the public,” said Malazarte.

Malazarte said that these inspections are not meant to intimidate, but to maintain the good image of businesses operating in the city.

On the other hand, NBI-Cebu District Office (CEBDO) agent-in-charge Arnel Pura reiterated its full support and cooperation in monitoring, case build-up, investigation, and prosecution of POGO-related activities and scam hubs.

“We are in full support to eradicate this kind of illegal activities in Mandaue City and other areas covered with their jurisdiction,” said Pura. — (FREEMAN)