Authorities in the Philippines announced they were investigating the discovery of mass graves at a raided offshore gambling facility. [Image: Shutterstock.com]

Gruesome discovery

The Department of Justice (DoJ) is investigating alleged mass graves found after a raid at Lucky South 99, a Philippines Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).

The fact that there is an existing grave site [means] it would not be a surprise if there are others.”

“It is a very serious matter that we cannot take for granted,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said. “The fact that there is an existing grave site [means] it would not be a surprise if there are others.”

The discovery is the latest link between POGOs and crime in the Philippines, and the news comes as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. prepares to finalize a presidential decree which will immediately outlaw the gambling facilities in the country.

POGOs’ turbulent history

POGOs have spread in the Philippines since they were legalized in 2016 by former president Rodrigo Duterte. The operators have brought in significant revenue by providing offshore platforms to bettors in countries with strict restrictions on gambling, such as China.

The discovery of mass graves marks a nadir for the industry

However, POGOs have also been dogged by their association with criminal activity such as human trafficking, drug crimes, and prostitution. The discovery of mass graves marks a nadir for the industry as it prepares to close down its operations.

The association with organized crime caused president Marcos to prepare a decree outlawing all POGOs in the country, with many facilities raided in recent months.

At the time of the decree being announced, there were over 400 operational POGOs within the Philippines, which contributed 166.5bn pesos ($2.9bn) of revenue per year to government. However, Marcos’ administration decided that the overall economic cost to the country in reputational and tourism damage was greater.

Burial sites investigated

Authorities will now press on with further investigations, with additional raids and probes to determine the depth of criminal activity at many of the facilities across the country.

In a statement given to reporters, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Spokesperson Winston Casio. added: “Over the weekend, prosecutors, Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group investigators, officers of PAOCC, and witnesses have identified possible burial locations.”

“These are very serious allegations that our task group cannot take lightly. For this reason, we have decided to apply for a search warrant to calm the anxious minds of both the foreign embassies with missing nationals as well as the relatives of those who have disappeared.”