President Marcos said the government is on top of the situation amid crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
In his speech in San Fernando, Pampanga, where an illegal POGO site was recently raided, Marcos assured the people that the government is currently working to respond to the various crimes related to POGO.
"Alam ko rin po, na labis ang inyong pagkabahala sa mga kriminalidad at ilegal na mga gawain na sumisira sa kapayapaan ng inyong pamayanan (I am aware that you are seriously concerned on the criminalities and illegal activities that threaten the peace in your communities)," Marcos said during his visit in the province on Friday, July 12.
"Nais ko pong ipaalam sa inyo na amin pong tinututukan at tinutugunan ang problemang ito (I would like to let you know that we are monitoring and responding to this problem)," Marcos added.
The President told them that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has formed a task force to look into illegal activities linked to POGO operations in Pampanga.
"Sa katunayan, mayroon nang ginawang task force ang DILG para tutukan ang mga ilegal na gawaing kaugnay ng mga naririnig nating mga POGO (In fact, the DILG is now forming a task force to look into the illegal activities related to POGO)," he said.
Last month, a POGO believed to be operating illegally was raided in Porac, Pampanga where 158 Chinese, Vietnamese, Malaysian, and other nationalities were rescued. The raid took place after authorities received reports of scamming activities, torture, kidnapping, and sex trafficking happening within the illegal POGO site.
On July 8, a two-hectare resort In Porac, where incorporators and POGO big bosses allegedly stay, was also raided by authorities. An underground tunnel and secret rooms were discovered during the raid.
It can be recalled that the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is considering proposing the gradual phaseout of POGOs in the country following raids on several POGO hubs that led to the arrest of some suspects, including Chinese nationals.
Marcos was in Pampanga on Friday to lead the distribution of government assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the El Niño crisis.
In his speech, he also said that the fight against smuggling of illegal drugs continues.
"[P]atuloy din ang pakikipagtulungan ng Bureau of Customs sa ilang ahensya upang matigil na ang pagpupuslit ng ilegal na droga dito sa bansa. Patuloy din po ang mga hakbangin ng PDEA upang masawata ang ilegal na droga (The Bureau of Customs continues to work with other agencies to stop the smuggling of illegal drugs into the country. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also continues to prevent illegal drugs)," Marcos said.