Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros renewed her call on Monday for the swift passage of the Anti-POGO Act, emphasizing the need for a regional strategy to dismantle transnational scam networks linked to offshore gambling. The proposed law would permanently ban Philippine offshore gaming operators and hold accountable those involved in serious offenses, rejecting the use of deportation as a substitute for genuine punishment.
The measure also seeks to repeal tax exemptions granted during the previous administration while authorizing the Bureau of Internal Revenue to pursue unpaid dues. In an interview, Hontiveros stressed that efforts to curb POGO operations in the Philippines have led many operators to relocate to neighboring countries such as Cambodia and Myanmar, where similar scam hubs are already emerging.
“These operations are not merely a local problem; they are part of a broader transnational criminal network. ASEAN should take the lead in establishing a code of conduct to dismantle scam hubs, rescue trafficking victims, and ensure that criminals are held accountable,” she said.
Hontiveros also urged ASEAN to collaborate with Western governments—including the United States, Germany, United Kingdom, and Australia—whose citizens have fallen victim to these scams. She called for the continuation and enhancement of the Bali Process, a regional forum aimed at coordinating policy responses to issues like irregular migration and related challenges.
While acknowledging that the Philippine government has made progress by banning POGOs and raiding offices operating under the guise of legitimacy, Hontiveros warned that the crackdown is far from complete, adding that a transnational problem requires a transnational response.