President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. (left), former president Rodrigo Duterte (MANILA BULLETIN)

PORAC, Pampanga--President Marcos is bent on shutting down the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) "that proliferated during the previous administration", House Speaker Martin Romualdez said. 

In a press conference held within the sprawling POGO hub operated by Lucky South 99 Inc. here, Romualdez also vowed that all individuals who are involved with the illegal activities associated with POGOs will face the full force of the law, 

“Those who are accountable will have to face the law,” said Romualdez, who led several fellow House officials in conducting an ocular inspection of the 10-hectare POGO hub. 

The POGO hub, which contained a whopping 46 buildings, were raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) operatives in June. PAOCC help organize the inspection. 

Romualdez made no bones about his thoughts about the POGO industry, especially after President Marcos announced its total ban last July 22 during the latter's third State of the Nation Address (SONA). 

"Kaya nandito tayo, ito ang sinasabi na whole of government approach. Nagsalita ang Presidente sa SONA, may ginaganap even bago mag-SONA na (That's why we're here, this is what's called the whole of government approach. The President spoke during the SONA, and even before the SONA there were) policy instructions to look into, enforce the rules and regulations to actually—as what happened here several months ago—shut down illegal operations,” he pointed out. 

“Ito talaga na-proliferate during the previous administration. Dito tayo naka-crackdown ngayon. So we have to work very seriously, seryosong-seryoso talaga ang administrasyon ni PBBM dito sa issue na ito,” added Romualdez, Marcos' cousin. 

(This really proliferated during the previous administration. Now we're cracking down on them here. So we have to work very seriously, PBBM's administration is really serious with this issue.) 

President Marcos took over the reins from Rodrigo Duterte, who was the chief executive from 2016 to 2022. 

The Speaker emphasized the need for a coordinated approach among various House committees and agencies. 

He says a resolution is being prepared to ensure that the House Committees on Public Order and Safety, on Dangerous Drugs, and on Human Rights will work closely together in investigating all issues related to POGOs. 

“Nadidinig natin itong nangyayari dito na pang-aabuso sa mga workers, at may naririnig din tayong EJK (extrajudicial killings) na one way or another, directly or indirectly involved here,” the Leyte 1st district congressman said. 

(We've heard these alleged abuses on the workers, and we've also heard about EJKs that one way or another, directly or indirectly are involved here.) 

Speaker Romualdez acknowledged the interrelations and overlapping issues requiring collaborative efforts among House committees. 

“Pero merong mga spill over, may mga interrelations and overlapping issues na siguro kailangan mako-collaborate para mas magiging meaningful, mas magiging mas comprehensive,” he stressed. 

(But there are spill overs, there are interrelations and overlapping issues that we may need to collaborate over so that we'll have a more meaningful and comprehensive discussion.)