In the Philippines, lawmakers continue to call for sterner action on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs), an industry that has been associated with serious crimes including murder, money laundering, extortion and kidnapping.
In a December 14 speech, according to the Manila Bulletin, Senator Grace Poe related that a friend’s sister-in-law answered a job ad in Pasay, only to be forcibly taken to a POGO location in Cavite and physically assaulted by her kidnappers. The job in question was supposedly administrative and had nothing to do with POGOs.
“Even without any official report, it is clear that these crimes are happening before us,” said Poe. “I would eagerly call on the authorities to rescue the victims.
“Allow me to reiterate my call,” she continued. “Let’s face the music and decide once and for all if our institutions are still stronger than POGO, can rein in the risk to peace and order and possible [avoid] long-term damage to the rule of law while these POGO-related crimes continue.”
Responding to Poe’s allegation, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III added, “I think it‘s already too much. … What kind of economic activity is that, that you are organizing people to defraud other people?”
On December 15, Philippine police told ABS-CBN News they are investigating the alleged abduction, but denied that such crimes are widespread. “It’s not rampant, those are just stories, ” said Major General Jonnel Estomo, head of the Capitol Region police force. “Previously, there were internal kidnappings happening in POGO. But we have yet to receive information that it’s as rampant as you say.”
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR), which regulates gaming in the country, said last fall that it would join in the fight against “illegal POGO-related crimes” following a reported increase in kidnappings linked to iGaming operators.
At the same time, PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco warned that the crimes could cause the downfall of the entire offshore gaming industry.
“If these kidnapping incidents and other illegal activities persist, it is clear that not only will we cancel the licenses of POGO operators, but the entire industry may be affected by whatever decision will emanate from the national government. So let us help each other solve these issues the soonest,” Tengco said.
