Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday, Sept. 20 urged the government to carefully balance the costs and benefits of having to shut down the operations of the entire Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry.
At this time, Go said, what is needed is for the country’s law enforcement bodies to suppress crimes reportedly connected with POGO operations and all other crimes perpetrated by various elements.
“Anuman ang nasyonalidad ng mga biktima, mapa-banyaga man ang mga ito o Pilipino, kailangang mabigyan ng sapat na proteksyon ang sinumang walang ibang ninanais kundi ang mamuhay nang maayos dito sa loob ng ating bansa (Whatever the nationality, whether a foreigner or Filipino, we should give everyone who wish to live peacefully in our country sufficient protection),” Go said in a statement.
“Without stable peace and order, it will be difficult to sustain economic development, especially now that we are trying to recover more fully from this pandemic,” he further said.
Go made the statement as calls to put a stop to POGO operations continue to mount especially among lawmakers who are concerned over the rising cases of kidnapping, trafficking, prostitution, and other related crimes.
Other senators who cautioned the government against shutting down the entire POGO industry were Senators Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. and Jinggoy Estrada.
Estrada and Revilla said the government should only go after illegal and or unlicensed offshore gaming operators.
“Mahalaga ang peace and order. Kung umabot sa punto na hindi talaga mapigilan ang mga krimeng iniuugnay sa POGO, dapat ikonsidera na ng gobyerno na ipatigil na lang ang kanilang operasyon (Peace and order is very important. If crime-related POGO activities go out of hand, only then should the government consider closing their operations),” Go pointed out.
“Ayaw nating madamay pa ang mga ordinaryong mamamayang Pilipino na nais mabuhay nang tahimik at mapayapa. At para sa akin, mas mahalaga ang buhay ng bawat tao (We do not want ordinary Filipino citizens who wish to live peacefully and quietly to be involved. For me, the life of every person is important),” the senator said.