De Lima seeks probe into POGO-related arrests to see if industry worthy to continue ops

Senator Leila De Lima on Wednesday said that arrests and cases filed related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) should be investigated by the Senate to determine if the industry should be allowed to continue operations in the country.

"The current administration’s kid-glove approach against POGO-related criminality has emboldened these POGOs to continue its activities unimpeded within the Philippines, with little to no regard for our laws nor our standards for public health and safety," De Lima said in Senate Resolution No. 440 which she recently filed.

"Congress should now step up and re-evaluate our country’s policies concerning the regulation of POGOs and determine whether or not they should be permitted to legally operate in our country once and for all," she added.

Cases involving POGOs and how these are being handled should be accounted for by the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice, and the Bureau of Immigration, according to the senator.

She also wants the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and the Department of Finance to present the revenues being generated from this industry to determine if these are worth more than the social costs.

In the resolution, De Lima cited a police raid of a Makati building in early May due to alleged illegal POGO activities being held at the location. Sixty-three Chinese nationals and 13 Filipino employees were nabbed.

She added that 265 more Chinese nationals have been arrested in an alleged illegal POGO firm inside a hotel in Las Pinas a week after.

De Lima said these POGOs continued to operate "despite their illegality" and amid the strict quarantine protocols being implemented to prevent COVID-19.

The senator also pointed out that POGOs still have to settle their unpaid taxes.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue, on the other hand, said "legal issues" are hampering the collection of franchise taxes from this industry.

POGOs were allowed to partially resume operations, ahead of other local industries, last May. — BM, GMA News