HOUSE leaders on Friday filed a bill to institutionalize the nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), reinforcing an earlier directive by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. to protect public safety and national security from the criminal activities linked to these operations.
The proposed measure, titled the Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act, seeks to prohibit all forms of offshore gaming in the country and impose penalties for violations.
The bill was filed just before the resumption of the House Quad Committee probe into the links of POGOs to illegal drug trade, land grabbing by certain Chinese nationals and alleged extrajudicial killings tied to the Duterte administration’s brutal war on drugs.
Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., Deputy Speaker David “Jay-jay” Suarez, and the Quad Committee Chairs Robert Ace Barbers, Dan Fernandez, Bienvenido “Benny” Abante Jr., and Joseph Stephen “Caraps” Paduano, were among the principal authors.
Joining them were Reps. Romeo Acop, Johnny Pimentel, Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro, Rodge Gutierrez, Paolo Ortega V, Jay Khonghun and Jonathan Keith Flores.
The lawmakers cited the dangerous activities linked to POGO hubs, which have evolved into self-contained areas used to conceal heinous crimes, with law enforcement raids uncovering these abuses and raising significant public safety concerns.
“Several raids conducted by law enforcement agencies on illegal POGO hubs reveal cases of kidnapping, illegal detention, human trafficking, prostitution, and tortures,” the authors said.
“Further, the authorities suspect that illegal POGOs are likewise involved in cybercrime, investment scam, money laundering, tax evasion and other fraudulent practices,” they added.
Beyond these crimes, the bill underscores growing national security concerns, as the Department of National Defense has reported that some POGO hubs are being used by international criminal syndicates, posing a direct threat to the country.
The bill also highlights the limited economic benefits of POGOs, with investments contributing just 0.2% to the country’s GDP in 2023. In contrast, the crimes and negative impacts on investor confidence are seen as significant hindrances to economic growth.
The authors pointed to recommendations from the Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, Makati Business Club and the University of the Philippines School of Economics, all of which support the POGO ban, citing that the social and security costs far outweigh the economic benefits.
“While banning the conduct of POGO and POGO-related activities and services comes with potential economic losses, allowing them to proliferate comes with the long-term and much higher cost to public safety and institutional integrity,” the authors said, echoing the recommendations of government and business sectors.
In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Marcos declared an immediate ban on POGOs, citing their involvement in financial scams, human trafficking, money laundering and other illicit activities.
The Chief Executive stressed that POGOs’ “grave abuse and disrespect to the Philippines’ system of law must stop.”
Under the proposed Anti-Offshore Gaming Operations Act, penalties for violators are severe. Offenders could face prison sentences ranging from four to 10 years and fines reaching up to P10 million for repeat offenses.
Foreign employees of POGOs would also face immediate deportation, while government officials involved in facilitating illegal POGO operations would be dismissed from service and have their benefits forfeited.
“It is necessary to enact a law to ensure that anti-POGO measures are institutionalized, thus, this proposed measure,” the authors emphasized as they called for a legal framework to permanently ban offshore gaming and protect the country from its harmful effects.
If approved, the bill would mandate the closure of all POGO activities by Dec. 31, 2024, and ensure that all involved entities settle their unpaid taxes before ceasing operations.
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