Remulla takes over DILG, vows to shut down all POGOs
Newly-installed Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla vowed to close all the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country as he assumed the post in a turnover ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
In a press briefing after the ceremony, Remulla said he will first conduct an accounting of all existing POGOs in the country and vowed that he will personally lock them one after another.
“As far as I am concerned, I will get all the list of POGOs and I will personally lock them down one by one personally, all of them,” said Remulla.
He said the closure will also cover the POGO at the Island Cove, which used to be owned by the Remulla family.
It was later sold and converted to a POGO facility.
Remulla said he took the initiative of meeting the POGOs at the Island Cove to ensure that they will close down following an order of President Marcos to shut down all POGOs in the country.
“I talk to them yesterday (Oct. 8) because it is my home province and the property used to be owned by my family. They will close down December 15 for good,” said Remulla.
Remulla took over the top DILG post from Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos’’ Jr., who was deemed resigned after he filed a certificate of candidacy (COC) for senator for the midterm polls next year.
On Harry Roque
Remulla admitted that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque is his good friend.
He then clarified that former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque was not a fugitive of the law, but was being sought out by Congress.
“He (Roque) has not broken any laws but he is cited for contempt by the Senate. So in that case he cannot be considered a fugitive but rather as a person of interest that has to show up,’’ Remulla explained.
When asked for any message for Roque, Remulla retorted “I have no message for him. I think it’s enough he knows what’s he is up against.’’
PNP structural reforms
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is under the DILG and Remulla said that there is a need to conduct reforms to improve the organization.
“So we have to start with cleaning up the shop. The PNP law is a 28 year old law which is based on assumptions before the advent of the digital age. So there are things that we have to change and that change cannot be coming from you. It has to be a shared and collaborative effort between the agencies,’’ Remulla emphasized.
Remulla pointed out that the PNP is a top heavy organization which needs to be flattened a little bit.
Under his leadership, Remulla vowed to o create an integrated approach into reporting criminal incidents all over the country. (With reports from Chito Chavez)