Labor Lawyer Luke Espiritu on Public Officials Tied to Illegal POGOs: “We Must Punish Them”

October 2, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal iGaming & Gambling

Labor lawyer Luke Espiritu called for accountability among public officials tied to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). His remarks come in the wake of growing concerns about the negative impact these operators have had on the country, including serious allegations of human trafficking and various scams.

Espiritu firmly believes that not only should all POGOs be shut down, but those in power who enabled their existence must face thorough investigations. “We must punish them,” he asserted, highlighting the importance of holding officials accountable for their roles in allowing these operations to flourish.

In his X (formerly Twitter) account, Espiritu wrote: “On the issue of POGOs are answer should be resolute: Ban all POGO operations in the Philippines. And to add to that, punish all officials or rather, TRAPOS, from both [former President Rodrigo] Duterte and [Ferdinand] Marcos [Jr.] sides that allowed for these illegal POGOs to enter the country.”

The labor leader also shared a snippet of his interview with One News wherein he argues that banning POGOs is only part of the solution. He emphasizes the necessity of investigating public officials who turned a blind eye to the operations or facilitated their activities. He believes that without accountability at the highest levels, the root of the problem will remain unaddressed.

Espiritu’s statements sparks a broader conversation about the future of gaming in the Philippines since he considers POGOs to be “useless.”

When asked what is his take on POGOs, Espiritu answered, “We have to close down all the POGOs. They’re useless. Not only that, we have to investigate the public officials that allowed that. We must punish them.”

Espiritu’s call for justice is not just about punishing wrongdoers; it is also a plea for a more transparent and responsible governance system. He warns that the ongoing POGO scandal should not serve as a pretext for racist behavior or xenophobia, particularly against Chinese nationals. He cautions against using these events to stoke anti-China sentiment, arguing that such actions would only distract from the real issue at hand: the accountability of public officials.

“We also don’t want to use this issue to be, you know, just to become rascist or we’re gonna use the anti-China sentiment in order to cover up for public officials that made it possible for these POGOs to proliferate in our country. First and foremost, we must punish them and not just let them go scot-free.”

The Philippine government has been under pressure to take a decisive stance against POGOs. Recent investigations have revealed a troubling connection between these gaming operators and a range of illicit activities. Allegations have surfaced that POGOs are linked to human trafficking networks, which exploit vulnerable individuals. Both Alice Guo and Cassandra Ong are accused of being involved in POGO companies where Chinese nationals were forced to work in order to settle casino debts.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has responded to these concerns by announcing a ban on POGOs, recognizing the urgent need to address the issues they present.

The context surrounding POGOs in the Philippines is complex. These operators often target foreign clients, particularly from China, attracting significant revenue for the government through taxes and licensing fees. Yet, this financial benefit comes at a steep cost. The proliferation of POGOs has led to a rise in crime rates, with reports of extortion, kidnapping, and other violent acts linked to these gaming operations.