PH solon calls for greater control over issuance of TINs among POGOs

Philippine Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is pressing the Bureau of Internal Revenue to tighten its oversight of the TIN application process in order to counteract rumors that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are involved in illicit activities.

Gatchalian claims that criminal organizations use the current system by obtaining TIN IDs in order to give their workers—especially foreign nationals connected to POGOs—a false sense of legitimacy.

Strongly opposed to POGOs, Gatchalian argues that the existing procedures encourage fraud, human trafficking, and other illicit activities. He suggests a thorough review of ID issuance processes in order to resolve these problems, emphasizing the need for stronger security protocols and extensive identification characteristics.

The senator’s demand for more stringent regulation comes in the wake of the most recent POGO incident using smart web technology. The company’s premises are described by the authorities as a “prostitution den and a torture chamber,” and they are accused of engaging in various scams and labor trafficking.

As part of an investigation into the POGO, 26 police officers—including the Pasay City Chief of Police—were released after over 700 workers were “rescued” during the operation. Gatchalian has been a vocal advocate for conducting more investigations, citing the fact that law enforcement corruption has allowed these syndicates to function freely, even in the vicinity of police stations.

Original story by: Asia Gaming Brief