Double down on POGOs — Hontiveros
SENATOR Risa Hontiveros has called for a more aggressive crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), warning of their links to organized crime, human trafficking, and possible espionage by foreign nationals.
Speaking at the Kapihan sa Senado forum, Hontiveros cited reports that illicit POGO operations continue under different forms despite an official ban.
“Obviously kulang na kulang pa rin. Yung mga POGO bosses na yan, malamang marami sa kanila, andito pa rin. Hindi pa lumalabas. Kasi ino-oversee pa nila yung pag-morph ng kanilang POGO operations sa mas maliliit, guerilla-like operations,” Hontiveros said.
The senator emphasized that criminal activities linked to POGOs, such as financial scams and kidnappings, are resurging. She pointed to recent complaints of a renewed wave of scam messages, suggesting that former POGO operators have shifted their illicit activities into other sectors.
Hontiveros also criticized some agencies of the government’s handling of POGO-related deportations, particularly the practice of self-deportation, where individuals voluntarily leave the country without proper monitoring.
“Kung deportation talaga, dapat may organized action sa panig ng sending government at yung pagtanggap din sa kanila nung receiving government,” she asserted.
She warned that some deported individuals use stopovers in third countries to evade authorities and potentially return to the Philippines under different identities.
“Lalo na kung yung stopover ay mga bansa tulad ng Cambodia na dati ng hub ng POGO at mula doon dito sila pumunta,” she explained.
Additionally, she noted that POGO workers are being relocated within the country to avoid detection, citing reports of individuals who were deported from one province only to reappear in another POGO hub.
Beyond financial crimes, Hontiveros raised alarms over the potential link between POGOs and Chinese espionage activities. She cited recent arrests of Chinese nationals conducting surveillance near military camps and government facilities.
“Nakakabahala at nakakagalit talaga. Ang kakapal talaga ng mga mukha, ang tatapang talaga ng mga apog,” she said.
The senator recalled previous Senate hearings revealing that some POGO hubs may have been used as fronts for intelligence-gathering operations. She referenced the case of She Zhijiang, a confessed Chinese spy, and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency’s (NICA) warnings about agents of influence operating in the country.
“Talagang nagsasalubong na yung mga issue, yung mga haka-haka at yung mga ebidensyang lumabas kahit doon sa aming mga POGO hearings,” she warned.
Hontiveros backed Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada’s proposal to update and strengthen the country’s anti-espionage laws, emphasizing that China’s own national security policies require its citizens and businesses to cooperate with intelligence operations.
“Sinusuportahan ko din yung panawagan ng NICA na i-update at palakasin yung ating anti-espionage law dahil yun ay originally para lamang sa times of war, pero peacetime, wala po,” she said.
She stressed that modern espionage does not require traditional warfare, as foreign intelligence operations can infiltrate telecommunications, energy, and law enforcement sectors.
“Hindi lang tuwing gera ginagawa ng ibang mga bansa. Kahit tulad ngayon, wala namang gera, wala namang hot war, pero patuloy yung pag-aresto ng ating law enforcement authorities sa mga dayuhang ito, mga Tsino, na di umano nag-e espya pala sa atin,” she pointed out.
Given the continued risks associated with POGOs, Hontiveros suggested that the government consider a temporary moratorium on all online gambling operations while authorities assess the full extent of the problem.
“I think a moratorium would be a very good option for the executive to consider… Kung hindi maka-catch up yung law enforcers sa pag-stamp out ng Pogos,” she said
Meanwhile, Senate President Francis Chiz Escudero confirmed that the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) remains in effect, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s declaration in his State of the Nation Address. He credited Senate investigations for prompting the government’s intensified actions against illegal POGO operations.
“Hindi namatay ang issue ng POGO dahil sa imbestigasyon sa Senado, minabuti ng Pangulo na i-ban ang POGO sa kanyang SONA nung nakaraang Hulyo,” Escudero said.
Despite the ban, Escudero noted that authorities continue efforts to dismantle remaining operations.
“Patuloy pa rin naglilinis ang kapulisan natin, PAOCC at NBI nung mga tira-tirang at naiwan pang POGO, sindikato man o operation man o nag-fly by night ng illegal na POGO,” he added.
However, he pointed out that while POGOs are prohibited, Philippine Inland Gaming Operations (PIGO) – where locals, rather than foreigners, engage in online gambling – are still allowed.
“Sa POGO, foreigner ang nagsusugal. Sa PIGO, Pinoy ang nagsusugal. So, yung sinasabi nating bawal sa mga dayuhan, pinapayagan natin yung mga kababayan nating gawin yun,” he said, suggesting that the next policy debate should focus on whether PIGO should also be prohibited.
“Kung masama ang POGO sa foreigner, mabuti ba ang PIGO para sa Pilipino? Yun siguro ang next chapter kung saka-sakali,” Escudero remarked.
