Gatchalian: Fight vs. POGO 'far from over'

The recent raid of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub near the Senate building in Pasay City showed that the battle against the banned industry is "far from over," Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Friday.

"The raid on... another POGO company involved in love scams, underscores that our battle against the deep-rooted social ills caused by POGOs is far from over," Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian said that despite the ban against POGO, criminal syndicates continue to exploit POGO resources to fuel their fraudulent operations.

"Nilabag na nga ang utos ng Pangulo na itigil na ang operasyon ng POGO, nagawa pa nilang patakbuhin ito sa mismong likod ng gusali ng Senado—ang institusyong nag-iimbestiga sa mga problemang dulot ng POGO," he stressed.

(They already violated the order of the president on POGO ban, they even operated it behind the building of the Senate—the institution that is investigating the problems caused by POGO.)

While he commended authorities for the successful operation, Gatchalian urged them to closely coordinate with local governments and other concerned agencies "to fully eliminate POGO operations" in the country.

On Thursday, over 200 personnel were arrested after a POGO hub linked to "love scam" activities was raided in Pasay City.

The operation was conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Pasay City Police.

Most of them are Chinese nationals involved in the love scam, which is said to be the primary modus of the POGO hub.

The authorities will examine the confiscated computers, cellphones, SIM cards, and other items to build a case against those arrested.

In his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. announced a total ban on POGOs. 

--VAL, GMA Integrated News