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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Namumugot na ng ulo': Barbers renews push to ban all POGOs

'Namumugot na ng ulo': Barbers renews push to ban all POGOs

Published Jul 2, 2024 09:05 am

At A Glance

  • A veteran lawmaker in the House of Representatives has reiterated that the risks Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) bring to the country far outweigh its economic benefits.

2CAEBE5E-5376-4F91-9743-2011055758A9.jpegSurigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Dexter Barro II/MANILA BULLETIN)

 

 

 

 

 

 

A veteran lawmaker in the House of Representatives has reiterated that the risks Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) bring to the country far outweigh its economic benefits.

According to Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the “social costs” of having POGOs is a well-grounded basis to outright ban these gaming operations.

Barbers said recent raids on several POGO hubs have revealed jarring links to criminal syndicates.

He noted that these supposed gambling hubs are also in the business of kidnapping, extortion, bribery, corruption, drug and human trafficking.

The lawmaker even cited that he recently saw a video recording of a Chinese national decapitating the head of another Chinese citizen—a gruesome act in relation to illegal activities espoused by POGOs.

“The POGO promise of proving hundreds of billions of revenues, providing hundreds of thousands of jobs for Filipinos ay hindi po nangyari (did not happen),” Barbers said in a press conference on Tuesday, July 2.

“So, sa ngayon, panahon na para ihinto na ang mga POGOs,” he added.

(So, for now, it's time to stop POGOs.)

Barbers argued that gambling has long been outlawed in mainland China, thus these Chinese-owned gaming operators present in the country should likewise be declared illegal.

“Huwag nating pabayaang mamayagpag dito yung illegal sa kanila. Parang binibigyan natin sila ng haven eh at nilelegalize natin (Let's not allow what is considered illegal in their country flourish here. It's like we are giving them a haven and legalizing) something that is illegal in their country,” he explained.

“Hindi dapat tayo mag dalawang isip sa pagpapahinto nitong mga POGO na ito,” he continued.

(We should not think twice about stopping these POGOs.)

According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), the Philippines is set to lose as much as P20 billion annually if the government would ban POGOs.

Instead of investments that spawn illegal activities, Barbers said Chinese investors should consider legitimate businesses that provide jobs and revenues to the Philippines.

The congressman said if they truly want to help the country, these businessmen should invest in agriculture and infrastructure.

Related Tags

POGOs Robert Ace Barbers Chinese investors
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