Imee wants POGOs suspended
MANILA, Philippines — Amid controversies surrounding Philippine offshore gaming operator firms, Sen. Imee Marcos has proposed the suspension of POGOs and is seeking assistance from China, which has banned offshore gaming for its citizens.
Marcos urged the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to immediately come up with a clear policy on POGO.
“I think we need to suspend operations right now. Maybe suspend first and then study the system and come clean on what is allowed and what is not,” she said yesterday in an interview with radio dzBB.
“I think PAGCOR can do that because they are on top of everything. They should be regulating it. They will say what the framework is. Make it known to all agencies, including LGUs (local government units), police and the judiciary to clarify everything. If (POGO) really can’t be regulated, stop it,” she added.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has conducted anti-illegal POGO operations in Pampanga and arrested several Chinese nationals involved in the illegal activities.
Marcos emphasized that individuals arrested in the raids must be charged in court.
“Those caught illegally should be charged because it’s really unclear that they don’t obey the peace and order and immigration laws,” she said.
Asked about policies that Malacañang could take against POGO, the senator said that she does not want to pre-empt the action of the executive department.
“I’m still hoping for the government to release a new policy,” she said, noting that “for more than two years, nothing has been shown.”
“So I hope they explain that those with a criminal record cannot enter the country. That, even if they have enough money, don’t buy us,” she said.
“The BI (Bureau of Immigration) must explain the situation. Even the immigration is said to be in cahoots with some DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) personnel issuing permanent resident visas. Then the police, why is it that the raiders can’t enter because there were bodyguards,” she added.
While she is not yet familiar with the pronouncement of her fellow Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian about POGO being considered a national security threat, Marcos said,
