POGO Ban Has Led to Decrease in Text Scams, Says Senator Grace Poe

Senator Grace Poe has called for a legislative ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), linking them to a significant decrease in text scams following President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s announcement of a POGO ban.

During the August 5 Senate plenary session, Poe highlighted the noticeable reduction in text scams since Marcos declared the ban during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024. Poe, a key advocate for the SIM Registration Law aimed at curbing crimes such as text and online scams, underscored the impact of the President’s directive.

“I just wanted for people to realize something and that’s the power of the words of our President when he delivered the [State of the Nation Address] last July 22, I believe.

“From that time on actually a little before that time until the present, kung mapapansin ninyo, wala nang masyadong nagte—text scam sa inyo ngayon ng mga nanalo kayo ng ganitong jackpot o kaya yung package ninyo, kailangan i-redeem ninyo. [From that time on, if you have noticed, text scams claiming you won a jackpot or need to redeem a package have become a lot less frequent],” Poe was quoted as saying by the Inquirer.

“So nangangahulugan lamang na malaki ang kinalaman nitong mga nag-ooperate ng mga illegal na POGOs sa ating bansa. [This indicates a significant correlation between these scammers and the illegal POGOs operating in our country].”

Poe, who previously chaired the Senate’s public services panel that championed the SIM Card Registration Act, expressed surprise at the persistence of text scams despite the law’s enactment. She now attributes the decline in scams to the recent crackdown on illegal POGOs.

“So the President’s words that legal and illegal POGOs are no longer allowed somehow made a big impact at least when it comes to these scams that we are receiving. Now, that’s not to say that this will finally be over forever.”

In light of these developments, Poe is advocating for formal legislation to ban POGOs entirely. She stressed the necessity of enacting a law to solidify the prohibition of POGOs and other harmful online platforms.

“There will probably still be other scammers that will try to fool our countrymen, but at least this is a large step forward,” Poe stated. “It would be wise for us to legislate this ban, ensuring that no legal or illegal POGOs, or any other online platforms harmful to our countrymen, are allowed.”

President Marcos has mandated the immediate cessation of POGO operations, instructing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to phase out these firms by the end of 2024.

Read related article: All POGOs banned in PH by President Marcos

Source: Inquirer.net