Senator Manuel “Lito” Lapid on Tuesday, June 11 urged the Senate to include in its investigation a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub recently raided by authorities in Porac, Pampanga.
Lapid urged the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, which is currently investigating the POGO hubs raided by authorities in Bamban, Tarlac, to also probe the said POGO hub.
"Nararapat na magsagawa ng masusing imbestigasyon upang malaman kung sino ang mga taong tunay na nag mamay-ari ng mga lupa at mga building na ginagamit sa POGO at ang kompanyang nagpapatakbo dito nang sa ganun malaman ang buong katotohanan kung sino talaga ang nasa likod ng mga POGO (It is appropriate to conduct a thorough investigation to find out who are the real owners of the lands and buildings used in POGO and the company that operates here so that the whole truth can be known as to who is really behind the POGO,” said Lapid, who hails from Pampanga.
At the same time, Lapid urged netizens and the media to be balanced and responsible in making pronouncements to avoid implicating people who have nothing to do with POGO operations in Pampanga.
“Kami ay nananawagan sa ating mga kapatid sa media, at social media, na maging responsable at mapanuri, bago magpahayag ng mga walang basehang akusasyon, nang sa ganoon ay maiwasang mapagbintangan ang mga inosente at walang kasalanan (We are calling on our brothers and sisters in the media, and social media, to be responsible and critical, before making baseless accusations, so as to avoid accusing the innocent and innocent),” Lapid also said.
The senator said he joins and agrees with the majority of the people’s desire to protect the country’s national interest and hold accountable the people involved in illegal activities of POGO companies.
"Ang mga karumal-dumal na krimen na nadiskubre sa POGO raid sa Bamban, Tarlac at Pampanga ay hindi lamang nararapat na kondenahin kundi kailangan din ng mabilis na aksyon mula sa pamahalaan upang mapanagot ang mga nasa likuran ng mga gawaing kriminal, kaakibat rin ang pagbalangkas ng mga bagong polisiya laban sa illegal na POGOs at iba pang kahalintulad na operasyon sa bansa (The heinous crimes uncovered in the POGO raid in Bamban, Tarlac and Pampanga not only deserve condemnation but also require swift action from the government to hold accountable those behind the criminal activities, including framing of new policies against illegal POGOs and other similar operations in the country,” he said.