Senator fears of more POGO-related crimes after student kidnapping

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

FILE: ANTI-POGO OPS. Personnel from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and Bureau of Immigration (BI) raid an alleged scam hub in Bagac, Bataan on Oct. 31, 2024. (PNA photo by Yancy Lim)

MANILA – The abduction of a student, a case with suspected links to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), is a warning sign of an escalating threat.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said failure to act decisively could open the door to more criminal operations targeting children.

“There is only one acceptable outcome in this manhunt: Full accountability for the perpetrators. Anything less is unacceptable,” Gatchalian said in a news release Friday.

The senator expressed deep concern over reports that organized crime syndicates tied to POGOs are now preying on minors.

“This is not just an isolated case. It is a wake-up call. If we do not stop this immediately, it could mark the beginning of a wider modus operandi, where POGO-linked groups target our children,” he said.

Gatchalian urged schools, parents, communities and law enforcement agencies to work together in strengthening child protection programs to prevent further abductions.

“It is appalling that these organized crime groups now endanger the lives of innocent children. Schools must collaborate with parents and authorities to ensure security measures are in place to keep our learners safe,” he said.

The senator emphasized the importance of raising awareness among students so they can remain vigilant against potential dangers.

Meanwhile, he urged security forces to intensify campaign against terrorists, citing recent arrest of Chinese nationals allegedly involved in espionage activities.

He said the series of arrests of foreigners suspected of spying activities near strategic government offices, including Malacanang Palace in Manila, underscore the need to tighten security measures in all vital infrastructures and installations.

“Dapat nating paigtingin na lalo ang ating pambansang seguridad lalo na sa gitna ng sigalot sa West Philippine Sea at sa lumalalang banta sa pandaigdigang kaayusan (We must intensify our national security especially with the conflict at the West Philippine Sea and the threat against world peace),” he said. (With a report from Leonel Abasola/PNA)