PNP to conduct crackdown against Pogos

CEBU. At least four South Korean nationals allegedly operating an illegal Pogo (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) and other scams were apprehended in their condominium unit in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Friday morning, August 5, 2022. (Photo by Arnold Bustamante)
CEBU. At least four South Korean nationals allegedly operating an illegal Pogo (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) and other scams were apprehended in their condominium unit in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City on Friday morning, August 5, 2022. (Photo by Arnold Bustamante)

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said they will conduct a crackdown on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) in the country amid the increase in kidnapping cases involving Chinese nationals here.

Azurin said the crackdown is primarily intended to conduct background checking on Chinese nationals working in Pogo.

“There must be a way to check whether they are already overstaying, nag-expire na ang kanilang mga working permits so dapat regular na chinecheck po ang mga yan. Saan sila mga nakatira, chinicheck ng mga barangay or subdivision owners so that we know how they are behaving,” he said in a radio interview.

(There must be a way to check whether they are already overstaying or if their working permits have already expired. They should be checked regularly, where they live. The barangay or subdivision owners will also check so that we know how they are behaving.)

“Kailangan po we should ensure na lahat po ng pumapasok po dito sa atin ay medyo may maganda naman pong character sa kanilang bansa because with the advent of technology, nakikita po natin na borderless na po ang mga krimen ngayon,” he added.

(We must ensure that everyone who enters here has a good character in their country because with the advent of technology, we see that crimes are now borderless.)

Azurin said a whole-of-government approach is needed in order to address these cases, noting that there was a time that the PNP was barred from dipping their hands in Pogo-related operations.

He said this only stopped when kidnapping cases related to the industry emerged.

Kidnapping in the PH

The PNP has been in hot water due to the spike in kidnapping cases in the country in which the majority involves Pogos.

The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs has launched a probe on the matter.

During the hearing on Thursday, September 15, Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry Executive Committee Member Ko Bengsum stood by their report that 56 kidnapping incidents involving Filipino and Chinese nationals, including children, have occurred over the past 10 days.

This is far from the PNP data that there were 29 kidnapping cases reported to them since January and 15 of them were Pogo-related.

Ko said Chinese nationals who are employed in Pogos refused to report cases of abduction of illegal detention over fear of getting deported.

“As we all know, Pogo... is illegal in China... So, whoever is working with the Pogo or employees, if they are abducted or kidnapped by anybody else, they would not want to go to the authorities,” he said.

“Because once they go to the authorities and it’s reported to the Chinese Embassy, immediately they would be deported back to China and they would be banned from going out of the country for the next five years,” he added.

PNP deputy chief for administration Lieutenant General Chiquito Malayo, however, said that they stand with their statistics “that the 56 kidnapping cases” did not happen as the group cannot substantiate it, particularly on where and when it all happened.

Dela Rosa said the PNP and the PCCCII should have better coordination.

“Wag niyo ibigay sa kanila ‘yung burden of proof. Since nilabas nila sa public ‘yung numbers na ‘yan, you have to seek their cooperation na hanapin itong 56 na ito,” Dela Rosa told the PNP.

(Don't give them the burden of proof. Since they released those numbers to the public, you have to seek their cooperation to find this 56.)

'Reputational damage'

Meanwhile, Committee chairman Senator Grace Poe said the country’s revenue from Pogo does not justify the reputational damage it causes the country.

“P6 billion is not enough, I think as justification to host them here, P6 billion? At what cost? Socially for our country?” she said.

In a separate hearing, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the country should stop Pogo operations in the country because of its social cost.

From its peak of P7.9 billion annual revenue, the total revenues in the industry dropped to P3.9 billion in 2021.

“It has a reputational risk because why are they going to the Philippines? Discontinue na sa China, discontinue ng Cambodia. Why are they going to the Philippines?” said Diokno.

“Maybe because we are loose, we’re not strict on our rules, so meron tayong (we have) reputational risk,” he added.

Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos warned the shutting down of Pogo involved in illegal activities.

Rescued

On Wednesday, September 14, a total of 42 Chinese nationals who were allegedly being illegally detained in a Pogo office in Angeles, Pampanga were rescued.

The company’s human resource manager Chen Yi Bien was arrested during the operation.

According to the PNP, some Pogos were putting on hold or ordering the abduction of their workers once they expressed intention to transfer to other companies which offered higher salaries.

While in captivity, Pogo workers were either being forced to continue working for them or physically assault them in exchange of paying the amount the company used to bring them to the Philippines.(SunStar Philippines)

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