CDC cancels sub-lease contracts of 2 POGO firms

CLARK FREEPORT— Clark Development Corporation has canceled the sub-lease agreements of two Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) here amid human trafficking and cybercrime violations.

“We issued a notice of cancellation of the registration and approval of the sub-lease agreement between Sun Valley Clark Hub Corp. (SVCHC) and CGC Technologies,” CDC President and Chief Executive Officer Agnes Devanadera said during a press conference on May 31.

Devanadera also said CDC has issued a cease and desist order to SVCHC and CGC Technologies.

Devanadera, along with CDC vice president Noelle Mina Meneses, answered queries during a Senate hearing on May 30 regarding the illegal POGOs in Clark.

Earlier, a joint operation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) rescued more than 1,000 foreigners from SVCHC.

Police said the rescued victims were forced into working for a fraudulent cyber-enabled industry, victimizing their fellow citizens.

CGC Technologies leased a portion of its property to Colorful and Leap Group Co. (Colorful and Leap) which operated an alleged cryptocurrency scam.

CDC has recommended to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) the revocation of 775 Subic-Clark working visas issued to CGC Technologies.

Devanadera admitted a “failure of intelligence” because the CDC management did not receive any reports about the illegal activities of the Pogos.

“We created a special admin committee which [led to the] suspension of all the top officers of our security group,” she said.

Devanadera said they are now working closely with the PNP, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, Department of Justice, and Bureau of Immigration.

“We are looking into other areas like a review of the different policies, different processes, especially in relation to the endorsement that CDC issues or provides for the BI to issue the necessary visa,” she added.

Devanadera said they would continue welcoming foreign investors in Clark, but not human traffickers.

“We still say welcome to Clark, but not to human traffickers,” she said.