Photo credit: PAOCC

Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, acting in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), issued a directive today for the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to seek a court-approved Freeze Order or a Provisional Asset Preservation Order against the assets of Lucky South 99 Corp., located in Pulong Maba, Purok 2, Manibuag, Paralaya, Porac, Pampanga.

The order follows a law enforcement operation conducted by PAOCC on June 4, 2024, targeting Lucky South 99 Corp., a provisional Internet Gaming Licensee. The operation led to the arrest of 156 foreign nationals suspected of being involved in illicit activities within the compound.

The Executive Secretary’s memorandum mandates the AMLC to identify and include in the court application all assets linked to unlawful activities under Republic Act No. 9160, as amended. This includes the entire compound, encompassing 46 buildings, as well as all vehicles parked within the vicinity of Lucky South 99 Corp.

On the same day, a second memorandum was issued, directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to expedite the deportation of the arrested foreign nationals, except those facing criminal charges. These individuals have been transferred to a temporary detention facility at NASDAKE Building, 50 Williams St. corner FB Harrison St., Pasay City, pending deportation and blacklisting to prevent their re-entry into the Philippines.

Bersamin emphasized that these actions are part of the administration’s commitment to enforcing laws against organized crime and safeguarding the integrity of the financial system. He stated, "The government will continue to take decisive measures to dismantle operations linked to criminal activities and ensure that foreign nationals involved in such activities are deported and barred from re-entering the country."