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Advocates Philippines
Senators Call For Total Ban On POGOs Amid Revelations
Photo credit: Senate PH
In a move to address the alarming rise in human trafficking and slavery linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), Senator Win Gatchalian urged a complete ban on their operations during Friday's hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender.
Gatchalian, pointing to the organized and well-connected criminal syndicates behind these heinous activities, emphasized the failure of regulation that has allowed POGOs to become a hub for such crimes.
"This happened because they were hiding from a legitimate and licensed POGO operator. We will see that there is a failure on regulation, and because there is a failure on regulation, we are now the victims of these syndicates," Gatchalian asserted.
He went on to express concern about the escalating victimization of both foreigners and Filipinos due to the absence of a comprehensive ban on POGOs, emphasizing that other countries have already prohibited their operations.
Accompanying Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee, on an ocular inspection of a POGO hub, Gatchalian aimed to shed light on the severity of the issue.
During the inspection at Smart Web Technology in Pasay City, Senator Hontiveros revealed a shocking discovery—a torture chamber within the POGO facility.
Hontiveros described the torture chamber as a harrowing scene of agony and suffering, with bloodstains scattered across the walls.
"Like you, I was also shocked by what we saw in the 'torture chamber' where Smart Web employees were tied up. There was no light, no food. The victims suffered bruises inflicted by their audacious and abusive employer," Hontiveros disclosed during the hearing.
Hontiveros further recounted the distressing sight of an 'aquarium' where women were reportedly subjected to degrading conditions, forced into becoming sex slaves by POGO employers and their associates.
The senators discovered a complete POGO community within a single building, encompassing an entertainment center, KTV bar, canteens, barber shops, restaurants, and dubious spa services.
Gatchalian, pointing to the organized and well-connected criminal syndicates behind these heinous activities, emphasized the failure of regulation that has allowed POGOs to become a hub for such crimes.
"This happened because they were hiding from a legitimate and licensed POGO operator. We will see that there is a failure on regulation, and because there is a failure on regulation, we are now the victims of these syndicates," Gatchalian asserted.
He went on to express concern about the escalating victimization of both foreigners and Filipinos due to the absence of a comprehensive ban on POGOs, emphasizing that other countries have already prohibited their operations.
Accompanying Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the committee, on an ocular inspection of a POGO hub, Gatchalian aimed to shed light on the severity of the issue.
During the inspection at Smart Web Technology in Pasay City, Senator Hontiveros revealed a shocking discovery—a torture chamber within the POGO facility.
Hontiveros described the torture chamber as a harrowing scene of agony and suffering, with bloodstains scattered across the walls.
"Like you, I was also shocked by what we saw in the 'torture chamber' where Smart Web employees were tied up. There was no light, no food. The victims suffered bruises inflicted by their audacious and abusive employer," Hontiveros disclosed during the hearing.
Hontiveros further recounted the distressing sight of an 'aquarium' where women were reportedly subjected to degrading conditions, forced into becoming sex slaves by POGO employers and their associates.
The senators discovered a complete POGO community within a single building, encompassing an entertainment center, KTV bar, canteens, barber shops, restaurants, and dubious spa services.
Nov 10, 2023
