NSC urged to tag Pogo as ‘national security threat’

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) should already be considered a threat to the country’s safety by the National Security Council (NSC).

Senator Risa Hontiveros said the NSC should raise the matter before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as recommended by various government officials during an executive session on Wednesday, June 5, to tackle further suspended Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo’s alleged ties to Pogos.

“When the executive session was about to end, one of the calls made to NSC was to elevate the issue of Pogo as a national security threat to the President,” Hontiveros told reporters in mixed Filipino and English during a press conference also Wednesday, after the executive session.

READ: Hontiveros: Why is gov’t having a hard time taking action vs Pogos?

The opposition senator said she supports the call, emphasizing that the President can decide on the fate of Pogos even if a Senate panel on the women’s committee report on the matter remains pending.

“While it has not been acted upon, the Executive could also take action,” she explained. “If the President himself says Pogos must now be expelled from the Philippines, in a few months, that can start happening.”

READ: PH now a ‘hotbed of human trafficking’ due to Pogos, says Gatchalian

Hontiveros said she hopes the NSC will listen to their call and that Marcos will finally study whether or not Pogos threaten the country’s security.

Otherwise, she added, “all these bad [phenomena], all these crimes” will continue.

“We have been investigating for four years – meaning this has been happening for more than four years, more than four years these crimes have been carried out, more than four years. What are we waiting for? Do we want this to continue?” she asked.