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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Gatchalian: Majority of POGO-related crimes in PH involve human trafficking ​

Gatchalian: Majority of POGO-related crimes in PH involve human trafficking ​

Published May 14, 2023 03:42 am
    Majority of the crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) involved human trafficking cases, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Sunday, May 14.   Gatchalian said a letter sent by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to his office containing the summary of POGO-related cases handled by the Investigation Service shows that the crimes related to the industry have totaled 113 from November 2019 to March 2023.    Based on the data provided by the agency, a total of 65 or 58 percent of the total number of cases involved human trafficking.   This summary, which was contained in the March 23, 2023 letter signed by NBI Director Medardo De Lemos, is an indication that organized criminal groups tied to the industry may be operating in the country, the senator said.   “This is concerning and alarming and can have serious implications on the country’s national security,” he stressed.   The chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means reiterated his call for the immediate closure of POGOs in the country to put a stop to the crimes happening in the country, after spearheading an inquiry into the socio-economic benefits of maintaining POGOs in the country following the series of reported crimes attributed to the industry.   He made the call and recommendation in his Chairman's Report which was later on submitted to the Office of the President.    “Human trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits the most vulnerable in our communities and the data from the NBI shows that some POGO operators are into human trafficking too. We cannot allow such horrific crimes to happen in our country,” Gatchalian emphasized.   Aside from the 65 cases of human trafficking, the NBI report also shows there were 33 cases of international operations that were investigated, seven (7) cases of cybercrimes, four (4) anti-organized and transnational crimes, 3 cases of fraud, and one case of anti-violence against women and children which are all related to POGO.    

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NBI POGO-related crimes human trafficking probe Sherwin Gatchalian
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