POGO WORKERS composite image from Inquirer file and stock photos
MANILA, Philippines — The Marcos administration should strictly enforce laws and implement policy reforms to prevent the resurgence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), Deputy Speaker David Suarez said on Sunday.
Suarez made the statement following a congressional probe that exposed the link between Michael Yang, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s economic adviser, and his associate Allan Lim to the illegal activities of Pogos.
The lawmaker said while the government has already banned Pogos, the fight against illegal activities should not end there.
“We cannot allow this to happen again. We need stricter laws, better enforcement, and more cooperation between our agencies to ensure that the Philippines does not become a haven for criminals,” he said.
“Pogos are just one part of a larger problem. We need to dismantle the entire network of syndicates using these platforms as a cover for their illicit operations. I fully support President Marcos in his commitment to cleaning up these industries,” he added.
Suarez also commended President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s decision to ban Pogos.
“President Marcos was absolutely correct in his call to shut down Pogos. Nakita naman natin sa ating mga [House] Quad Committee hearings na hindi lamang ito tungkol sa sugal, linked din ito sa iligal na droga, at EJKs. Hindi ito simpleng problema: This is organized crime, and we must put an end to it,” he said.
(President Marcos was absolutely correct in his call to shut down POGOs. We’ve seen in our Quad Committee hearings that this is not just about gambling; it is also linked to illegal drugs and extrajudicial killings. This is not a simple problem: This is organized crime, and we must put an end to it.)
READ: Marcos bans Pogo, cites ‘disorder’ it caused PH
He also noted that the quad panel’s hearings have exposed deeper links between Pogo operations and other criminal activities.
“Hindi lang Pogo ang problema dito. The evidence presented during the Quad Comm hearings shows that drug syndicates are using these platforms as a front for their illegal trade. Nakakatakot na hindi lang sugal ang pinag-uusapan natin dito, kundi ang buhay ng ating mga kababayan,” he said.
(The problem here is not only Pogos. The evidence presented during the Quad Committee hearings shows that drug syndicates are using these platforms as a front for their illegal trade. It’s alarming that we’re not just talking about gambling, but also the lives of our fellow citizens.)
Suarez also emphasized the alarming increase in extrajudicial killings connected to Pogos.
“We cannot ignore the growing violence surrounding Pogo activities. People are being killed, and these deaths are directly linked to the criminal syndicates operating behind the scenes. Kailangan natin itong sugpuin nang mabilis (We need to address this swiftly),” he said.