Palace: Gov’t to probe prostitution rings linked to Pogo workers

MANILA, Philippines—The government will investigate the reported proliferation of Chinese prostitution rings patronized by mostly Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) workers.

In a press briefing in Malacañang Tuesday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will lead the investigation on the emergence of  Chinese prostitution dens in the country.

“We will have that investigated. If that’s true then we have to do something about it,” Panelo told reporters.

The Palace official issued the statement as the Senate launched an inquiry on prostitution dens and Pogo workers.

During the Senate hearing, National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director for Special Investigation Service Vicente De Guzman III pointed out that customers of sex dens recently raided by law enforcers were mostly Chinese Pogo employees.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairman of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, revealed that women in these prostitution dens are also being offered through messaging apps.

The number of Chinese nationals in the Philippines has noticeably increased with the majority of them employed by Pogos.

Despite the economic gains, however, there have been mounting fears that Chinese workers are taking jobs for Filipinos, evading taxes and getting involved in criminal activities.

Pogo workers in their midst: Notes from an ‘invasion’
The influx of Pogo workers is also saddled by immigration and labor issues since a number of workers reportedly stay in the country without valid travel documents and work permits.

GSG