By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Win Gatchalian said on Monday (Nov. 18, 2024) that the Philippine National Police (PNP) requires increased intelligence funding to help shut down the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
“The PNP needs funds to gather intelligence, particularly in the fight against POGOs,” Gatchalian said, noting that some POGOs are going underground and disguising themselves as other businesses.
“This is the time to support the PNP in gathering more intelligence,” he added.
Gatchalian pointed out that the PNP’s intelligence budget has significantly decreased from P1.356 billion in 2023 to P906.025 million this year.
For 2025, under the National Expenditure Program (NEP), the PNP was allocated an intelligence fund of P806.025 million, which the Senate later increased by P100 million.
“The reduction is counterproductive to what we want to achieve,” he said.
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