On August 6, 2024, the Philippine House of Representatives passed a resolution (House Resolution 1880) that provides for the formation of a new “super committee.” This body combines four committees – dangerous drugs, public order and security, human rights, and public finance. The super committee should investigate the links between the criminal activities of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), Chinese syndicates, the illegal drug trade, and drug-related killings under former President Duterte.
It is suspected that Chinese syndicates used drug money to bribe government officials in order to obtain forged documents for the acquisition of land and property for the construction and operation of POGOs. Gambling is illegal in China. POGOs were also allegedly used as a legal fronts for drug trafficking. In this context there also appeared to have been a reward system for drug-related killings in the Philippine National Police. During the Duterte administration, the number of POGOs operated by Chinese businessmen increased exponentially.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte and his former police chief, Senator Ronald dela Rosa, were invited to the committee meeting. The first meeting of this super committee was scheduled for August 15, 2024.
Photo © Raffy Lerma