Hontiveros pushes Anti-POGO Act, ASEAN crackdown on scam hubs

FILE: Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros. (Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros on Monday renewed her call for the immediate passage of the Anti-POGO Act, stressing the urgent need for a regional approach to dismantle transnational scam operations linked to offshore gambling.

The proposed measure, she said, targets to permanently ban operations of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and mandates accountability for those involved in serious crimes, rejecting the idea of deportation as a “get-out-of-jail-free card.”

It also aims to repeal tax exemptions granted during the Duterte administration, while still empowering the Bureau of Internal Revenue to pursue unpaid dues.

In an interview, Hontiveros underscored the regional dimension of the issue, warning that as the Philippines cracks down on POGOs, many are simply relocating to neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, where similar scam compounds are already proliferating.

“POGOs are not just a local menace —they are part of a transnational web of criminality. ASEAN must take the lead in building a code of conduct to dismantle scam hubs, rescue trafficking victims, and hold criminals accountable,” she said.

Hontiveros urged ASEAN to coordinate with Western governments – including the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, and Australia – whose citizens have been victims of these scams.

She also called for the continuation and enhancement of the Bali Process, a regional forum aimed for coordination and policy developments to address irregular migration in Asia Pacific and other areas.

“Governments must recognize trafficked workers as victims – not illegal migrants or criminals. A transnational problem requires a transnational response,” she said.

She added the Philippine government has made progress by banning POGOs and raiding remaining offices posing as legitimate businesses but warned that crackdown is “far from over.”