Senator: Battle vs. POGOs ‘far from over’ after raid near Senate

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

POGO RAID. Criminal Investigation and Detection Group operatives raid a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Subic, Zambales on Sept. 4, 2024. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday (Sept. 12) said the Senate is committed to fast-track a measure that will bolster the declaration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on totally banning POGOs in the country. (Photo courtesy of CIDG via PNA)

MANILA – Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Friday the government’s campaign against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country is “far from over” after a recent raid near the Senate building in Pasay City.

While commending the successful raid led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Gatchalian urged authorities to collaborate with local governments and relevant agencies to completely eradicate all POGO operations in the country.

“Nilabag na nga ang utos ng Pangulo na itigil na ang operasyon ng POGO, nagawa pa nilang patakbuhin ito sa mismong likod ng gusali ng Senado – ang institusyong nag-iimbestiga sa mga problemang dulot ng POGO (Having already violated the President’s order to stop the operation of POGOs, they even managed to operate it right behind the building of the Senate – the institution investigating the problems caused by POGOs),” he said in a statement.

“Despite the President’s unequivocal directive for a total ban, criminal syndicates continue to exploit POGO resources to fuel their fraudulent operations.”

The illegal POGO was discovered at the Kimberhi Building along Macapagal Boulevard in a raid conducted on Thursday.

The building is about 650 meters away from the Senate

In his 3rd State of the Nation Address on July 22, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the country and ordered the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to cease POGO operations by the end of the year, as well as the Department of Labor and Employment to help workers who will be displaced.

PAGCOR Chairperson Alejandro Tengco said the process of winding down POGO operations will start this month.

Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality is set to resume its inquiry into POGOs on Oct. 8.