Island Cove (Cavite)

Last updated

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 located on Island Cove and Animal Island in Kawit, Cavite, Philippines.

Contents

It was originally a resort and leisure park called Covelandia Island Resort, which closed in 2018 and later reopened under the name Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park, or simply Island Cove, in 2021. Both were owned by the Remulla political family before the property became a hub for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs). The site was operated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) before being shut down in 2024.

Island Cove was formerly 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 were originally owned by the Remulla political family. The property hosted a resort and leisure complex twice: first as Covelandia Island Resort, which operated from the 1970s to the 1980s, [2] and later as Island Cove Resort and Leisure Park, which operated from 1998 to 2018. [3] The resort also featured zoos and a crocodile farm. [4]

Starting in 2007, after his term as congressman ended, Gilbert Remulla served as the general manager of the resort. He stated that his father, Johnny Remulla, opened Covelandia in 1976, which closed in 1986. It then reopened as Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park in 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

Aerial view of the POGO hub in 2023 2023 Island Cove POGO hub (cropped).jpg
Aerial view of the POGO hub in 2023

The islands were later 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 employed many Chinese migrant workers, raising security concerns due to its proximity to the Danilo Atienza Air Base amid the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The Chinese government stated that gambling is illegal in China, including services provided from outside the country by POGOs. [10]

In 2023, the POGO industry – and by extension, the hub – was the subject of a Senate inquiry. [11] PAGCOR stated 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 proximity to Metro Manila was one of its main 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 consisted of 57 buildings. The hub included entertainment outlets, a clinic, restaurants, a hotel, and dormitories. [13]

Operations

Gambling hub

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

References

  1. ↑ Nadal, Nana (May 2, 2018). "Island Cove Hotel marks 20 years of recreational service" . The Manila Times . Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  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". The Philippine Star . May 16, 2004. Retrieved May 5, 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 Esguerra, Tinnie P. "A walk in the park with Gilbert". The Philippine Star . 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 Integrated News . Retrieved January 7, 2025.
  17. ↑ "Island Cove Redevelopment". Monolith. Retrieved December 18, 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.