'China should take part in anti-POGO campaign'
SEN. Risa Hontiveros said that China should participate in operations against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) since the criminals behind them are Chinese.
The senator made the remark following the July 1 meeting between Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian on transnational criminal activities.
Bersamin is the chairman of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission.
«The transnational syndicates associated with POGOs are Chinese nationals, so it is only right that the Philippine government works with the Chinese government in cracking down on these criminals' illicit activities,» Hontiveros said.
The Presidential Communications Office said in a statement that the Chinese Embassy in Manila «has been actively collaborating and maintaining open communication channels with their Philippine counterparts throughout this process.»
House Speaker Martin Romualdez said he favors strict regulation over a total ban on POGOs.
He warned that a total ban would only push POGOs to go underground.
Advertisement«But… those violating the law,… you should imprison them, you should remove them, deport them,» he said.
On Monday, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said that the number of legitimate internet gaming licensees fell from 46 to 42.
Pagcor said its collections from offshore gaming licensees improved in 2023.
«Ever since the appointment of Chairman Al Tengco, and later on, by President… Amy Eisma, Pagcor has been modernizing its policies and practices. The licensing regulations on offshore gaming, now known as internet gaming licensees under Pagcor's revised rules, have significantly improved revenue collections, despite also reducing the number of total licensees,» Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, said in a statement dated June 11.
