MANILA – Local government officials have been charged over the presence of Philippine Overseas Gaming Operations (POGOs) in their localities, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) revealed Thursday.
PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz announced that cases have been filed against local executives due to their negligence and failure to address the widespread POGO activities within their jurisdictions.
Cruz emphasized that local officials cannot claim ignorance, especially since these operations are often active within barangays, where they should be aware of such businesses.
“Ang sabi nga ni Presidente, hindi mag-e-exist ‘yang mga POGO operation na ‘yan kung hindi alam ng local government na ‘yan, especially po sa barangay (As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has pointed out, these operations would not have existed if local governments were unaware of them, particularly at the barangay level),” Cruz said in an interview over state-run PTV.
“Hindi naman basta tutubo ‘yan parang kabute, na parang kinabukasan ay may biglang tumubo doon (These businesses don’t just sprout overnight like mushrooms),” he added.
Cruz, however, did not divulge how many local officials have been charged.
Meanwhile, owners of establishments where underground POGO operations persist may also be held liable, according to the PAOCC chief.
Cruz added that President Marcos gave a clear directive to work collaboratively across agencies to tackle and resolve the issue.
In his third State of the Nation Address in July last year, Marcos announced a nationwide ban on all POGOs, legitimate and otherwise, with a complete phaseout by December 31, 2024.
The decision came as the industry was marred with serious issues such as human trafficking, prostitution, abduction and murder. (PNA)