Senators Risa Hontiveros (left) and Sherwin Gatchalian —File photos
MANILA, Philippines — “A ban is a ban. If Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) persist even beyond the December deadline, [the] government should still go after them.”
These were the words used by Sen. Risa Hontiveros when she was asked to comment on Tuesday about the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission’s disclosure that Pogos continue to exist across the country, while some opted to proceed with “underground operations.”
In a statement, Hontiveros said the Philippine government must do everything in its power to go after underground Pogos.
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“The task force that cracks down Pogos should be strengthened even more. The President’s policy directive must have teeth. If it is necessary to increase human resources, let the Executive do it,” she said.
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“I am also asking our law enforcers and other government personnel who have high-value prisoners: be careful, because I know they will be using all the tactics at their disposal to get you to yield to their wishes. Don’t be deceived and used,” she added.
Hontiveros’ Senate panel on women is leading a probe into the proliferation of illegal Pogos in the country.
While the hearings of her panel may end soon, she emphasized that all efforts to eradicate Pogos in the country must not.
In a separate message to reporters also on Tuesday, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed confidence that the presence of underground Pogos are merely temporary.
“These underground Pogos are an offshoot of the permanent ban on Pogos but their existence is merely temporary. Eventually, their world will become smaller and will disappear,” he told reporters.
President Marcos, during his third State of the Nation Address in July, ordered the ban of all Pogos in the Philippines.
He then subsequently ordered Pagcor to wind down and seize the operations of these firms by the end of the year.