Senator Sherwin Gatchalian says Filipinos who knowingly work for scam hubs--particularly those linked with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)--should be fully dealt with by law.
'Nabulag na sa pera': Gatchalian says Pinoys who work at scam hubs can't claim to be victims
Aug 23, 2024 03:51 PM
At a glance
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian (Senate PRIB)
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian says Filipinos who knowingly work for scam hubs--particularly those linked with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)--should be fully dealt with by law.
"Nakakalungkot may mga kababayan tayo na nabulag na sa pera at nagtrabaho na dito sa scamming hub. Wala na silang dahilan na sabihing biktima sila dahil iligal na ito eh," Gatchalian said in a virtual press conference Friday, Aug. 23.
(It's saddening that we have compatriots who have been blinded by money and chose to work at scamming hubs. They no longer have a reason to say that they're victims, since this is illegal.)
According to him, the Filipino nationals who will get caught involved in such activities shouldn't be left off the hook.
"Mga Pilipinong nahuli, mga kababayan natin, talagang sinadya na nila magtrabaho dito sa mga scam hubs. At hindi na dapat pagbigyan to," he said.
(The Filipinos who were caught, our compatriots, they really purposely chose to work at these scam hubs. They shouldn't be given any slack.)
"Ngayon wala nang palusot dahil from the start, alam nila iligal to at sumali sila dito sa illegal activities," Gatchalian reiterated.
(From the start, they have no excuse since they're aware that it's illegal and they joined the illegal activities.)
READ THIS:
President Marcos--in his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month--announced a ban on all POGOs in the country. He said the social cost of keeping POGOs around wasn't worth the revenues they bring in.
POGOs proliferated during the previous Duterte administration.