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Advocates Philippines
Senate Gathers Sufficient Support For Gatchalian's Push To Expel POGOs From The Philippines
Photo credit: Benhur Abalos Facebook
In a significant move to combat the proliferation of criminal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the Senate has garnered ample support for Senator Sherwin Gatchalian's call to expel these enterprises from the Philippines.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of this action, stating that it is a crucial step to halt the spread of crimes originating from certain POGO companies and to maintain order in the country, ultimately fostering economic growth.
Senator Gatchalian formally filed Committee Report No. 136, which contains the recommendation for the expulsion of POGOs from the Philippines. Over the past several months, he has advocated for the closure of POGOs, asserting that any revenue generated from the industry is not worth the significant social costs associated with POGO-related crimes.
With the filing of this committee report, the removal of POGO operations from the country is expected to become a reality in the near future.
The committee report specifically calls for the adoption of a resolution urging the executive department to cease POGO operations, prioritizing the well-being of the Filipino people and aligning with the administration's economic reforms for continued growth and development.
Furthermore, Senator Gatchalian is urging the Department of Labor and Employment to seek alternative employment placements for Filipino nationals currently employed by POGOs, taking into consideration their skills and capabilities. This includes the possibility of absorption by other industries such as Information Technology Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPOs) and manufacturing, with proper coordination.
The report also calls on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to cancel and revoke the working visas of foreign nationals employed in the POGO industry and to enforce their deportation in accordance with immigration rules and regulations.
Senator Gatchalian underscored the need for these actions by highlighting data collected over the past few months, which show that criminals have been using POGOs as platforms for various crimes, including human trafficking and fraudulent activities such as cryptocurrency schemes and love scams.
Based on a report released by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the total number of victims of POGO-related crimes has already reached 4,355, involving 903 perpetrators, from January 2017 to June 30 of this year.
These crimes encompass a range of offenses, including human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnapping-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, and grave coercion, among others.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of this action, stating that it is a crucial step to halt the spread of crimes originating from certain POGO companies and to maintain order in the country, ultimately fostering economic growth.
Senator Gatchalian formally filed Committee Report No. 136, which contains the recommendation for the expulsion of POGOs from the Philippines. Over the past several months, he has advocated for the closure of POGOs, asserting that any revenue generated from the industry is not worth the significant social costs associated with POGO-related crimes.
With the filing of this committee report, the removal of POGO operations from the country is expected to become a reality in the near future.
The committee report specifically calls for the adoption of a resolution urging the executive department to cease POGO operations, prioritizing the well-being of the Filipino people and aligning with the administration's economic reforms for continued growth and development.
Furthermore, Senator Gatchalian is urging the Department of Labor and Employment to seek alternative employment placements for Filipino nationals currently employed by POGOs, taking into consideration their skills and capabilities. This includes the possibility of absorption by other industries such as Information Technology Business Process Outsourcing (IT-BPOs) and manufacturing, with proper coordination.
The report also calls on the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to cancel and revoke the working visas of foreign nationals employed in the POGO industry and to enforce their deportation in accordance with immigration rules and regulations.
Senator Gatchalian underscored the need for these actions by highlighting data collected over the past few months, which show that criminals have been using POGOs as platforms for various crimes, including human trafficking and fraudulent activities such as cryptocurrency schemes and love scams.
Based on a report released by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the total number of victims of POGO-related crimes has already reached 4,355, involving 903 perpetrators, from January 2017 to June 30 of this year.
These crimes encompass a range of offenses, including human trafficking, forcible abduction, homicide, illegal detention, kidnapping-for-ransom, theft, robbery-extortion, serious physical injuries, swindling, and grave coercion, among others.
Sep 20, 2023
