Año says POGOs a ‘national concern’

NATIONAL Security Adviser Eduardo Año yesterday said the National Security Council (NSC) does not view Philippine Gaming Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) as a national security threat that warrants the intervention of the Armed Forces.

Año’s statement came after Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro said illegal POGOs are a national security concern as these weaken the country’s political, economic, social and peace and order fabric.

Teodoro also said China may be behind these illegal POGOs to weaken an enemy. China and Philippines are at odds over territorial claims at the West Philippine Sea in the South China Sea.

On Tuesday, the Armed Forces said it was conducting a probe to determine if illegal POGO operations are a threat to national security.

Authorities have raided a number of illegal POGOs in the past years due to their involvement in human trafficking, kidnapping, illegal detention and other criminal activities. They seized Chinese military uniforms at a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga that was raided last week. High-powered firearms have been found in past raids at POGO hubs.

Año said the NSC is “watching closely” the Senate investigation into POGO operations in the country, and the agency is conducting its own assessment to determine its implications on national security.

“Currently, we do not view POGOs per se as a national security threat at the level that would necessitate the direct involvement of the defense forces,” said Año.

“At the moment, it is a national concern that law enforcement and regulatory agencies can address. Our lawmakers may also need to look into the pros and cons of allowing its continued operations,” said Año.

He noted there are POGOs that are duly licensed and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and other government agencies.

As to the POGOs involved in illegal activities, Año said these can be addressed by government regulations and law enforcement mechanisms.

He said current efforts against these illegal POGOs “do not warrant the intervention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as in the case of going after declared national security threats such as the Abu Sayyaf or the CPP-NPA-NDF