By Argyll Cyrus Geducos
Malacañang urged Senator Richard Gordon to provide information on his claims that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are being used to spy on the country.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo made the statement after Gordon claimed that members of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) have infiltrated (POGOs) for intelligence gathering.
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo
(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) It was reported that IDs of the PLA were discovered from the two Chinese shooting suspects arrested in Makati City last week. In his Monday press briefing, Panelo said Malacañang will most likely conduct its own probe on the matter but added that President Duterte will likely wait for the Senate to finish their investigation first. He, however, urged Gordon to help the government get on the bottom of the issue by providing information. "If the good Senator has information of that, I think they should provide us with intelligence reports so that we can pursue the line of belief of that matter," Panelo said. "They should help the government--provide information so that we can properly address the matter," he added. Panelo said that the government will be stricter on POGOs after it expressed concern over claims that Chinese spies were out to determine invasion areas and to ascertain the location of Philippine military bases. READ MORE: It’s time to stop POGO operations in PH – Gatchalian "Anything that goes against the interest of the country is a cause of concern by this government, and for that matter, any government," he said. "Any crime committed in this country will be investigated and the perpetrators thereof prosecuted... As President, says any violation of any immigration law or any law of this country will not be countenanced," he added. READ MORE: AMLC should explain why money laundering flourishes
Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo(OPS / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) It was reported that IDs of the PLA were discovered from the two Chinese shooting suspects arrested in Makati City last week. In his Monday press briefing, Panelo said Malacañang will most likely conduct its own probe on the matter but added that President Duterte will likely wait for the Senate to finish their investigation first. He, however, urged Gordon to help the government get on the bottom of the issue by providing information. "If the good Senator has information of that, I think they should provide us with intelligence reports so that we can pursue the line of belief of that matter," Panelo said. "They should help the government--provide information so that we can properly address the matter," he added. Panelo said that the government will be stricter on POGOs after it expressed concern over claims that Chinese spies were out to determine invasion areas and to ascertain the location of Philippine military bases. READ MORE: It’s time to stop POGO operations in PH – Gatchalian "Anything that goes against the interest of the country is a cause of concern by this government, and for that matter, any government," he said. "Any crime committed in this country will be investigated and the perpetrators thereof prosecuted... As President, says any violation of any immigration law or any law of this country will not be countenanced," he added. READ MORE: AMLC should explain why money laundering flourishes