Marcos assures gov’t on top of situation amid POGO-linked crimes

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

FILE: Police officers guard a compound in Barangay Almanza Uno in Las Piñas City on Tuesday (June 27, 2023) following a raid through a search warrant at several buildings inside. (Photo by Yancy Lim via Philippine News Agency/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday assured that the government is on top of the situation amid the host of crimes linked to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

During the distribution of presidential assistance to farmers and fisherfolk in San Fernando, Pampanga, Marcos said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) created a task force to investigate the illicit activities involving POGOs.

Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) last month due to suspicions of unlawful activities, including kidnapping, illegal detention, torture, human trafficking, and sex trafficking.

“Alam ko rin po, na labis ang inyong [pagkabahala] sa mga kriminalidad at ilegal na mga gawain na sumisira sa kapayapaan ng inyong pamayanan. Nais ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na amin pong tinututukan at tinutugunan ang problemang ito (I also know that you are worried over the criminalities and illegal activities that disrupt the peace in your community. I want to inform you that this problem is being monitored and addressed),” Marcos said.

The PAOCC is considering recommending the gradual phaseout of POGOs in the country.

PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio said the phaseout if ever implemented, would pave the way for POGOs’ elimination in the Philippines.

Marcos, meanwhile, said the Bureau of Customs (BOC) is in close coordination with other agencies to deal with prohibited drugs.

The President further noted that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is taking the lead in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Gov’t preparation for the rainy season

In terms of efforts to mitigate the effects of the rainy season on the people in Central Luzon, Marcos said a standby fund worth PHP5 million has been allocated for disaster preparation for the region in the coming months.

Aside from the standby fund, a total of 204,577 family food packs and over PHP23 million worth of non-food items are already prepositioned in the region, he said.

The President said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has finished the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Measures for low-lying areas in Pampanga.

The DPWH has also completed two key projects in Lubao and Floridablanca to ensure the safety of residents against landslides.

“Batid din po namin na matapos ang labis na tag-init, ang malakas na ulan at baha naman ang [kakaharapin] natin na suliranin sa susunod na ilang buwan (We are also aware that after the extreme heat, we will be dealing with the challenge of heavy rains and flooding in the coming months),” the President said. “Kaya po pinaghahandaan na natin ang pagdating ng tag-ulan (That’s why we are preparing for the rainy season)”.

During the event, President Marcos extended PHP105.58 million in financial aid to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño phenomenon in the provinces of Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, and Zambales.

President Marcos also extended PHP10,000 each to 10,000 beneficiaries of the Ayuda sa Kapos ang Kita (AKAP) program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The DSWD aid amounted to PHP100 million.

The Office of House Speaker Martin Romualdez also provided five kilos of rice to all who attended the distribution of financial assistance at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Units of machinery, boats, and other livelihood assistance were also extended by the President during the event.