MANILA – Senators have renewed their urgent call to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) following a raid on a POGO facility in Porac, Pampanga, where authorities discovered uniforms of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian emphasized the national security concerns posed by this discovery.
“The presence of PLA uniforms is a stark indication that POGOs are a significant threat to our national security. They not only provide a haven for criminal syndicates but also for entities intent on destabilizing and infiltrating our government and political institutions,” Gatchalian stated in a message to reporters.
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros echoed these concerns, stating that the discovery of PLA uniforms supports intelligence reports suggesting a connection between POGOs and foreign intelligence networks. “The implications are deeply alarming. It’s evident that POGOs are exploiting our economic weaknesses, evolving into hubs for crime, and posing a substantial national security threat,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
Hontiveros also announced her intention to introduce a bill to repeal Republic Act No. 11590, which governs the taxation of POGOs. “I opposed that law, and now it’s time to completely dismantle it,” she added.
Senator Ramon Revilla Jr. expressed his support for any government measures aimed at curbing illegal POGO activities. “We support all efforts by the government to address these violations of our laws. The safety and welfare of our citizens must always come first,” Revilla said via Viber.
Senate Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada noted that the presence of PLA uniforms suggests that the criminal activities associated with POGOs are extensive. “Authorities must thoroughly investigate the operations of the criminal syndicates linked to the POGO operator Lucky South Outsourcing Inc. to determine the purpose of these uniforms,” Estrada stressed.
Senator Grace Poe also criticized the vast scale of illegal POGO activities, which she described as “appalling and costly” for Filipinos. “The recently raided POGO hub in Porac is so extensive that authorities estimate it will take over a week to inspect the entire facility,” Poe pointed out. She highlighted the significant government resources required for such operations, including personnel costs, the care of rescued individuals, deportation expenses, and legal proceedings. “Banning POGOs would not only halt their illegal activities but also save government funds that could be redirected to social services,” Poe concluded.
Pampanga Police Chief Removed
In a related development, the head of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, Colonel Levy Basilio, has been relieved of his duties amid the ongoing investigation into the raid. Brigadier General Jose Hidalgo, director of the Central Luzon Police Regional Office, stated that Basilio’s removal would ensure an impartial investigation into the activities at the POGO facility in Porac. Colonel Jean Fajardo, the spokesperson for the Philippine National Police (PNP), confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Maylanie Castillo has been appointed as the new provincial director for administration.
(el Amigo/MNM)
