Philippine Senator Calls for Immediate Closure of POGOs Amid Human Trafficking Concerns

The deputy minority leader of the Philippine Senate, Risa Hontiveros, has intensified her attempts to shut down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) immediately, citing concerns about their connections to illicit activity and human trafficking.

Hontiveros voiced grave concerns about fraudster syndicates taking advantage of POGO operations during a recent inspection with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian at a POGO firm in Bamban, Tarlac, which had been raided for human trafficking and illegal incarceration.

Hontiveros emphasized the connection between POGOs and illegal activities, asserting that the Philippines has not benefited significantly from POGOs despite their legal status.

The investigation produced alarming findings, and senators were notified by the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission that six Chinese fugitives who were conducting bitcoin and love scams on the property had been apprehended. Multiple SIM cards and phones hanging on metal racks also suggested broad use in fraudulent activity.

Senator Hontiveros noted that the POGO center that was raided in Bamban shared many characteristics with other scam sites, such as offices furnished with computer workstations, educational materials, and scripts that are commonly used in cryptocurrency schemes and love scams.

Senate Resolution No. 1001, which Hontiveros introduced in an attempt to address the problem, asks for a thorough investigation into the unauthorized acquisition of Filipino citizenship by foreigners through the use of fraudulent documents.

The resolution expresses the same concerns as the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality over the misuse of the Visa Upon Arrival procedure by Chinese POGO workers to gain unauthorized entry into the Philippines.

The topic has caused a rift in the Senate on support for gaming companies, particularly online, in response to a number of recent cases.

Senator Hontiveros is unwavering in her demand for the immediate closure of POGOs, citing the vital importance of shielding the country from criminal exploitation, despite promises from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and gaming-supporting officials about efforts to combat malpractices and improve industry integrity.

Original Story by: Asian Gaming Brief