Rody told to explain why he allowed POGOs

AN administration lawmaker yesterday pressed former president Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte to explain why he allowed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the country, saying it pave the way for the entry of Chinese nationals who are considered criminals in their own country.

Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin said Duterte allowed POGOs to operate in the country even if the industry is illegal in China, which metes out harsh punishments to their own citizens who violate the law.

“Yun nga ‘yung paulit-ulit naming katanungan (That’s our oft-repeated question), especially when I saw the facilities of POGO. Alam na alam ng buong mundo na banned at mortal sin at talagang kinukulong at ‘yung iba nga e talagang fina-firing squad sa China ang mga involved sa POGO (The whole world knows that it’s banned and some of those who are involved in POGOs are even jailed and subjected to firing squads in China). So, why was this allowed in our country?” Garin, a deputy majority leader, told a press conference.

Duterte’s Executive Order No. 13, which was issued on February 2, 2017, allowed the POGO industry to operate outside of ecozones, and subsequently spread throughout the country.

While the country benefited in the form of revenues, many lawmakers have said the social cost of POGO operations in the country was too much.

“Bakit ni-legitimize dito sa Pilipinas, parang binuksan (Why was this legitimized in the Philippines? Like it was opened). I mean, we have a lot of trading partnerships with China … but what happened in the previous administration ay buksan yung bansang Pilipinas para papasukin yung mga wanted naman at iligal sa China (is open up the Philippines to wanted criminals and those operating illegally in China),” said Garin.

The House Committees on Dangerous Drugs, Public Order and Safety, Public Accounts and Human Rights, collectively known as the quad comm, is investigating the alleged links between POGOs, the illegal drugs trade and the extrajudicial killings tied to the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.

Human rights panel chair Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante Jr. earlier claimed that POGO money had been used by the Duterte administration to