House of Representatives. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� The House of Representatives will do a comprehensive investigation into the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo), particularly on the illegal games and the crimes attached to it, Santa Rosa Rep. Dan Fernandez said on Monday.
Fernandez, who heads the House committee on public order and safety, said that the focus will be on the illegal activities attached to unlicensed Pogos, as these pose a threat on different communities鈥� safety.
The probe also comes after Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez asked for a probe of rogue Pogos, particularly the criminal activities surrounding it and to identify those behind it.
鈥淪o we鈥檒l be investigating 鈥榶ong mga criminal na elements that involve doon sa Pogo magpo-focus tayo do鈥檔 sa mga illegal na Pogo na kung saan maraming alam naman natin, mga iligal na ginagawa.听 So basically bilang chairman ng committee on public order and safety ay makita natin 鈥榶ong, of course, 鈥榶ong safety ng atin pong mga kababayan,鈥� Romualdez said.
(So we鈥檒l be investigating the criminal elements that are involved in Pogos, we will focus on illegal Pogos where we know that illicit activities are being done.听 So basically as chairman ng committee on public order and safety we want to ensure the safety of our fellow Filipinos.)
鈥淎t the same time, 鈥榶ong dinudulot na mga krimen ng pagko-conduct natin ng POGO, ano ang nagiging repercussion no鈥檔 sa seguridad ng ating bansa?听So basically the committee has decided and at the same time do鈥檔 sa announcement ni Speaker, we will have to conduct a comprehensive investigation on this matter, and that鈥檚 the reason why we follow ang order ng ating Speaker,鈥� he added.
(At the same time, the crimes brought by the conduct of Pogos, what are the repercussions it has brought to our country鈥檚 security?听 So basically the committee has decided and at the same time with the announcement of the Speaker, we will have to conduct a comprehensive investigation on this matter, and that鈥檚 the reason why we follow the order of the Speaker.)
Under the calendar for committee meetings, the House committee on public order and safety and the committee on games and amusements are scheduled to hold a hearing on the Pogos on Wednesday, July 17.
Among the agencies invited by the committees are the National Bureau of Investigation, (NBI), the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), and cities and municipalities鈥� leagues to understand the Pogo problem on a local level.
鈥淲e invited Pagcor, NBI, PAOCC, 鈥榶ong presidente ng city leagues at municipal leagues.听 We wanted them to be a part of it dahil nga siyempre area of jurisdiction 鈥榶an, so (importanteng) malaman natin 鈥榶ong kanilang mga ginagawa doon sa mga illegal Pogos, at kung meron namang mga legal, are they complying with all the existing laws?鈥� he asked.
(We invited Pagcor, NBI, PAOCC, the presidents of the city leagues and municipal leagues.听 We wanted them to be a part of it because of course this is their area of jurisdiction, so it鈥檚 important for us to know what they do with the illegal Pogos, and if there are legal games, are they complying with all the existing laws?)
鈥淏asically nakita naman natin that there are failures on the responsibility of the PNP (Philippine National Police) and the different LGUs (local government units).听 So what we wanted is to, moving forward, fix the problem on the criminal aspect of Pogo that was given to the national government, or ng Pagcor, 鈥� he added.
(Basically we see that there is a failure on the responsibility of the PNP and the different LGUs.听 So what we wanted is to, moving forward, fix the problem on the criminal aspect of Pogo that was given by our national government, or of Pagcor.)
Pogos have been a hot topic recently, with lawmakers from both the House and the Senate saying that the social costs of the games have become greater than the benefits they bring.
Last June 11, Makabayan bloc members in the House filed House Bill (HB) No. 10525 or the proposed Anti-Pogo Act of 2024, which will revoke existing Pogo licenses and ban other future Pogo companies from operating.
READ: House bill filed to ban Pogos, revoke licenses听
Even members of the Majority too, like Surigao del Norte 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers and Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez, have previously condemned the continuous operation of Pogos.
On June 10, both lawmakers separately urged the government to issue a ban due to the several crimes linked to the games, amid fears that Pogo sites may have severe national security implications.
READ: Solons back proposal to ban Pogos: Risks, dangers outweigh benefits听
However, Romualdez believes that only Pogos engaging in illegal activities must be banned, because a total ban might only lead to these businesses moving underground only 鈥� which means the government can neither monitor these companies nor demand taxes from them.
READ: Romualdez: Ban illegal Pogos only; total ban may lead to underground ops听
However, Romualdez believes Pogos must still be investigated amid alarming reports of illegitimate Pogos being involved in crimes like human trafficking, money laundering, prostitution, rape, and even murder.