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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Group of retired AFP officers backs closure of Pogos nationwide

Group of retired AFP officers backs closure of Pogos nationwide

Published Jun 20, 2024 05:09 am
POGO online gambling (pixabay)
(File photo)

A group of retired Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officers on Thursday, June 20, expressed support for the “immediate and complete” closure of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) nationwide, saying they “pose serious security risk to the social fabric of the society and greatly undermine government efforts to curb corruption.”

The Association of Generals and Flag Officers (AGFO), Inc., represented by its president and board chairman, retired Vice Admiral Emilio C. Marayag Jr., alleged that many Pogo outlets are used as fronts by organized crime groups for human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, cybcer scam, illegal drug trade, torture, surveillance and cyberattack on government agencies and other offenses.

He said such actions “severely threaten Filipino values and security,” prompting the group to join the call of some legislators and other groups to ban Pogos.

“They not only adversely affect the income, growth and investment opportunities of legitimate gaming sites like the casino, but also create negative perception of gambling that deters players from considering legal gaming establishments,” AGFO said in a statement.

Read related story: House panel OKs measures banning POGO in PH

In recent months, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided a number of Pogo hubs due to allegations of human trafficking and serious illegal detention, and scam operations.

These include the Pogo establishments in Bamban, Tarlac that were raided in February 2023 and March this year, and in Porac, Pampanga earlier this month.

PAOCC Executive Director, Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said they were monitoring about 300 illegal Pogo hubs in different parts of the country.

“AGFO reechoes the President’s (Marcos Jr.) ‘zero-tolerance policy for corruption and human rights abuses’ as the Association calls on the government to nip the bud of national insecurity brought about by the Pogo at the soonest,” the group said.

Last week, state-owned regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) warned that the country stands to lose P20 billion annually if the national government heeds the call to ban Pogos.

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