Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (Senate PRIB)

The Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee has recommended the operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in a controlled area similar to economic zones.

Senator Ronald ‘’Bato’’ dela Rosa, committee chairman, said he does not recommend the immediate banning of POGO operations. Instead, he said that these should be phased out in one to two years or two to three years depending on the vote of senators during a plenary debate.

Interviewed by Senate reporters via Zoom, Dela Rosa said the operation of POGOs in a controlled zone is recommended so that government could strictly supervise their operations and avoid the occurrence of crimes.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee chaired by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian had recommended immediate banning of POGO operations in the country.

The Gatchalian committee had undertaken public hearings on the effect to Philippine economy by POGO operations.

At present, POGOs operations are scattered in the Luzon area such as Paranaque, Pasay, Cave, Pampanga, Tarlac and Cagayan, Dela Rosa told Senate reporters.

Critics have pointed out that criminal elements had invaded  parts of the operations of POGOs,

POGOs had been hit by kidnappings, murders, coercion, illegal detentions and illegal possessions of firearms.

Some senators want a phased removal of POGO operations in consideration of the investments poured into the POGO industry.

Dela Rosa said that a resolution would be filed for a plenary debate and come out with a collective decision on the conflicting recommendations of the two Senate committees - public order and dangerous drugs, and ways and means.