Enforce anti-scamming law vs POGOs, govt urged

SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday called on proper authorities to urgently enforce RA 12010, or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), following the discovery of an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub in Cebu which led to the rescue of more than 160 foreigners over the weekend.

In a statement, Hontiveros said the AFASA, which was passed into law last month, is intended to combat financial cybercrimes, safeguard the interests of financial consumers, and uphold the integrity of the financial system.

She said that the law, if properly enforced, can prevent the continued operation of POGOs, which have been ordered banned by President Marcos Jr. during his third State of the Nation Address last July.

“The rescue of nearly 100 Indonesian nationals highlights the urgent need to enforce RA 12010, the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). Hindi tayo papayag na ginagawang headquarters ng scammers ang Pilipinas (We must not allow scammers to use the Philippines as the headquarters for their operations),” Hontiveros said.

Law enforcement agencies led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Saturday rescued 162 foreigners after it raided an illegal POGO hub operating at the Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-lapu City in Cebu.

The operation stemmed from a request of the Indonesian embassy after two of its illegally detained citizens escaped from the POGO facility and informed authorities that around 60 other Indonesians were being held against their will in the hotel.

Aside from Indonesians, the PAOCC also rescued Chinese, Malaysians, Taiwanese, and Burmese.

The foreigners were reportedly engaged in scamming activities, such as “love scams” and cryptocurrency scams. Computers, mobile phones and other electronic devices were seized during the operation.

Hontiveros said the people or groups behind the scam hub should be held accountable “to deter future scams (and) provide justice to the victims.”

Hontiveros said one of the main reasons that the Senate has been investigating the illegal operations of POGOs is to craft a measure to ensure their shutdown.

“Our hearings established that