Group welcomes gov’t crackdown vs. illegal POGO operations

Last Tuesday, police arrested another 63 Chinese nationals and 13 Filipinos engaged in illegal POGO operations in Makati City. (File Photo: PIO NCRPO/Facebook)

MANILA – The Association of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators and Service Providers (APSP) on Thursday welcomed the recent arrest of Chinese nationals and Filipinos engaged in illegal operations of POGO in the cities of Makati and Paranaque.

“We do not condone, abet, or tolerate any form of these illegal operations. Their existence prejudices the interests of legitimate POGO operators subjecting our members to unfair criticisms,” the APSP statement read.

The group said it supports the campaign of the law enforcers against illegal gambling “to weed out the industry of the undesirables.”

“Circumstances of the arrests clearly show unlawful operations,” it added.

On April 24, police authorities arrested 44 Chinese POGO employees and nine Filipinos for working in an illegal POGO operation in Paranaque City amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Last Tuesday, police arrested another 63 Chinese nationals and 13 Filipinos engaged in illegal POGO operations in Makati City.

The APSP reiterated its commitment to comply with the conditions set by Malacañang, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) “to ensure everyone’s safety.”

“Our group is compliant with governmental requirements and certifications and faithfully follows the laws and regulations governing regular business operations,” it added.

The group also supports the initiative of Abra Rep. Joseph Sto. Niño “JB” Bernos to improve regulatory processes “to eliminate illegal gambling which erodes the reputation of the legitimate ones.”

“Additionally, we are grateful for the government’s decision to allow limited resumption of POGO activities,” it said.