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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP: Zero POGO-related kidnappings, crimes since September 15 Senate hearing

PNP: Zero POGO-related kidnappings, crimes since September 15 Senate hearing

Published Oct 4, 2022 02:02 pm

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said they recorded zero kidnappings and crimes related to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) since the Senate convened to tackle the controversies hounding the sector last September 15.

PNP officials provided this report when they were asked by senators whether there were any improvements in the peace and order situation in the country since the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs sought for an inquiry regarding POGO-related crimes last month.

In the hearing conducted by Senate Ways and Means of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday, Oct. 3, Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had requested updates from senior PNP officials.

In response, Police Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo, acting regional director of the National Capitol Region Police Office (NCRPO) said, that since the Senate’s September 15 hearing, “walang insidente ng kidnapping sa Metro Manila (there were no kidnappings recorded in Metro Manila).”

Region 3 acting regional director PBGen Cesar Pasiwen and Region IVA acting regional director PBGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., provided similar reports and told the committee members that there were no reported incidents involving POGOs in Central Luzon and CALABARZON.

Estomo stressed that the results were achieved by focusing on crime prevention, as he highlighted three initiatives to address POGO-related crimes, including: increased police visibility, the addition of police outposts in POGO areas like Entertainment city, and close coordination with POGOs and agencies like the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

This prompted Dela Rosa to commend the PNP, whose report were backed by the observations of Philippine Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Eugene Ang.

“We have noticed that with the quick action of our law enforcement agencies, particularly the different agencies of the PNP and the NBI, peace and order has greatly improved and lately for the last two weeks we have not received any more reports on abductions and kidnappings,” Ang told the senators.

“We would like to congratulate the law enforcement agencies and we hope that they would continue the effort to make sure that the peace and order situation is under control,” he added.

Estomo for his part informed the Senate panel that the PNP will continue to do its best to prevent POGO-related crimes, pointing out that any profitable industry is bound to attract criminals.

Asked for his opinion, Estomo said he is in favor of allowing POGO firms to continue their operations in the country, subject to some stringent rules and regulations.

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