Island Cove (Cavite)

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Island Cove
Physical features
DivisionsIsland Cove, Animal Island
Location
Metro Manila location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location in the periphery of Metro Manila
Philippines relief location map (Luzon mainland).svg
Red pog.svg
Location in Luzon
Philippines relief location map (square).svg
Red pog.svg
Location in the Philippines
Coordinates: 14°27′40″N120°55′24″E / 14.46117°N 120.92321°E / 14.46117; 120.92321
CountryPhilippines
Province Cavite
Municipality Kawit

Island Cove was an online gambling complex primarily owned and controlled by Chinese nationals in Island Cove and Animal Island in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines.

Contents

It was originally a resort and leisure park called "Covelandia Island Resort", which then closed in 2018, then reopened under the name "Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park" or simply as "Island Cove" in 2021. Both were owned by the Remulla political family before it hosted a hub for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The site was operated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) before it was shut down in 2024.

Island Cove used to be known as Pulo ni Burunggoy (transl. Burunggoy's Island). [1]

History

As a resort

Entrance in 2013 Island Cove Hotel entrance in Kawit, Cavite.jpg
Entrance in 2013

The two islands used to be a property owned by the Remulla political family. It hosted a resort and leisure complex twice; the first being Covelandia Island Resort which operated in the 1970s to the 1980s, [2] and the second being Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park which was operational from 1998 to 2018. [3] The resort also had zoos and a crocodile farm. [4]

Starting in 2007 after his term as congressman ended, Gilbert Remulla was the general manager of the resort. Remulla said that his father, Juanito Remulla Sr. opened Covelandia in 1976, then closed in 1986. It then reopened as the Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park by 1997. [5]

In 2018, the property was acquired from the Remullas by a group of Filipino Chinese businessmen. [6] The resort ceased operations on July 28. [3]

As a gambling hub

The islands was developed into an online gambling hub under Oriental Game Ltd. [7] [8] Construction lasted from 2018 to 2021 before the POGO hub became operational. [9]

The hub was noted for employing Chinese migrant workers, which raised security concerns due to its proximity to the Danilo Atienza Air Base in the context of the South China Sea dispute. The Chinese government said that gambling is illegal in China, including services provided from outside China including by POGOs. [10]

In 2023, the POGO industry and by extension the hub was the subject of a Senate inquiry. [11] PAGCOR said that it had found no illegal activities occurring within the hub's premises. [12] [13]

The casino hub ceased operations on November 30, 2024, following a directive by president Bongbong Marcos to ban POGOs in the country. [9] [14] It was certified closed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government on December 17, 2024. [15]

Facilities

Resort

By 2014, the resort had the following facilities: [5]

The resort's relatively short distance from Metro Manila was one of its selling points. [5]

By 2015, other amenities included a spa, KTV, four restaurants, and a hotel. [16]

Gambling hub

The Island Cove POGO hub was built by Monolith with Jose Siao Ling & Associates as the architect. It had a conditioned floor area of 276,782.09 m2 (2,979,257.6 sq ft). [17] It covered an area of 30 hectares (74 acres) and had 57 buildings. The hub has numerous amenities such as a entertainment outlets, clinic, restaurants, a hotel and dormitories. [13]

Operations

Gambling hub

First Orient owns the Island Cove POGO hub but it leased the property to four licensees namely Glarion Technologies, Merit Legend Solutions, Squared Route Technologies, and Digital Jenius. At its peak the hub employed 30,000 people but only had 4,000 at the time of its closure. [13]

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References

  1. ↑ Nadal, Nana (May 2, 2018). "Island Cove Hotel marks 20 years of recreational service". The Manila Times. Retrieved May 28, 2024.(subscription required)
  2. ↑ De Barras, Jeahan Virda (October 18, 2014). "A landmark hotel and leisure park in Cavite". BusinessMirror. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Island Cove resort shuts down after 20 years". GMA News. June 29, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Island Cove opens wildlife sanctuary | Philstar.com". The Philippine Star. May 16, 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Esguerra, Tinnie P. "A walk in the park with Gilbert". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  6. ↑ Santos, Tina (2022). "Remulla tells NBI to stop 'operating' vs Pogos, cites extortion reports". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  7. ↑ "Kawit, Cavite proposes another POGO hub". Manila Standard. September 14, 2019. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  8. ↑ Venzon, Cliff (April 28, 2023). "Philippine online casinos: Continue playing or game over?". Nikkei Asia. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  9. 1 2 Lazaro, Jacob (December 16, 2024). "Island Cove's jobless: The other side of the Pogo ban". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  10. ↑ Mangosing, Frances (August 16, 2019). "Chinese casinos near PH military camps worry DND". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  11. ↑ Torregaza, Hannah (May 30, 2023). "Senators score PAGCOR for 'being corrupt' over alleged human trafficking cover-up". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  12. ↑ Domingo, Ronnel W. (August 4, 2023). "Pagcor clamps down on Pogos". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 Buan, Lian (December 17, 2024). "Biggest PH POGO hub in Island Cove, Cavite, closes down. Who owns it?". Rappler. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  14. ↑ Abrina, Dennis (December 5, 2024). "Island Cove POGO hub in Cavite closes ahead of deadline". Manila Standard. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  15. ↑ Sigales, Jason (December 17, 2024). "Remulla padlocks Pogo hub in Cavite's Island Cove". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
  16. ↑ Pulumbarit, Veronica (February 16, 2015). "A swim, spa and wildlife retreat in Kawit". GMA News Online . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Island Cove Redevelopment". Monolith. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
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