Senator Christopher "Bong" Go on Sunday, November 10 commended President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for issuing Executive Order (EO) No. 74, formalizing a total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the country.
Go said he has consistently supported a strict approach to the POGO issue, citing the negative impact on the safety and well-being of Filipinos.
“At ako po'y mismo noon pa, against po ako sa POGO. Pag apektado na po ang peace and order, for the record, ayaw ko talaga ng POGO. Lalung-lalo na po kapag naghahasik na po sila ng lagim (Even back then, I am against POGOs. If our peace and order, for the record is affected, I am reallya gainst POGOs. Especially if they are involved in different crimes),” Go said in a statement.
“Kapag compromised na po ang peace and order, ako mismo ayaw ko po (If our peace and order is compromised, I am against it myself). I'm against POGO,” he stressed.
The President’s directive, issued last November 5, mandates the closure of all POGO-related activities by December 31, 2024. Marcos issued the order following concerns over rising criminal activity and threats to national security linked to the industry.
Go earlier signed the Senate Committee on Ways and Means’ report recommending the banning and declaring illegal all offshore gaming operations in the Philippines.
“Napapanahon na para tuluyan nang matigil ang POGO sa bansa. Matagal na nating sinasabi na mas mahalaga ang kapakanan at seguridad ng bawat Pilipino. Hindi natin hahayaan na ang kapayapaan sa ating bayan ay sirain ng mga iligal na aktibidad (It’s high-time that POGO operations are entirely prohibited in the country. We’ve been saying that the security and welfare of each Filipino is paramount. We can’t just leave our nation’s peace be destroyed by those who do illegal activities)," Go also said.
But Go said the Marcos administration should make sure that the ban on POGOs would be thorough and uncompromising.
The senator said there should be no selective enforcement that could allow some operators to continue.
“Kapag sinabing total ban, dapat walang maiiwan. Huwag tayong magpabaya, lalo na kung kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mamamayan ang nakataya (If there is a total ban, everyone should be banned and no one should be let off. Let’s be vigilant, especially since the safety and welfare of our people are at stake,” Go stressed.