By Brian Jules Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday moved to prohibit the operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
In his speech during the third State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City, President Marcos acknowledged the clamor against POGOs as its operations have already been linked to financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, and even murder.
“The grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop. Kailangan nang itigil ang panggulo nito sa ating lipunan, at paglalapastangan sa ating bansa,” he said.
“Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” Marcos added, to which the audience reacted with loud applause.
The Chief Executive then directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to crack down on the operations of POGOs by the end of the year. He likewise ordered the Department of Labor and Employment and the government’s economic managers to help Filipino workers who will be displaced.
Recognizing that banning POGOs will not solve all of the problems the country has been facing, Marcos called on all government officials and the public to remain “vigilant, principled, and think of the health of the nation”.
In an ambush interview following the SONA, both PAGCOR Chair Alejandro Tengco and Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian expressed support for Marcos’ decision against POGOs.
The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Gender Equality and Family Relations has been probing POGO-linked crimes as well as the raided POGOs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga. – avds