Pagcor should blockillegal online gambling websites—Gatchalian
At A Glance
- "Pagcor's public warning against illegal offshore gaming websites is an indication that our fight against POGOs is far from over and warrants an intensified campaign against POGO-like entities," Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said on Tuesday, July 1 the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) should block illegal online gambling websites to protect local internet users.
Gatchalian made the proposal after the agency warned the public against patronizing illegal offshore gaming websites that claim to be licensed or accredited by Pagcor.
Pagcor said the fake offshore gaming websites even uses the agency’s logo and fabricated license certificates.
“Pagcor’s public warning against illegal offshore gaming websites is an indication that our fight against POGOs is far from over and warrants an intensified campaign against POGO-like entities,” Gatchalian said.
“I strongly urge Pagcor, along with the DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology), NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), police, and other law enforcement agencies, to conduct a thorough operation to block these websites from being accessed by local internet users,” the senator said.
The DICT earlier mentioned that Pagcor has previously coordinated with the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) technology team to address the issue.
Gatchalian said these agencies should hasten their actions to stop them from further exploiting people through online platforms.
“Hinihikayat ko ang mga ahensyang ito na pabilisin ang kanilang pagkilos, dahil nasa kanilang mga kamay ang susi upang maisakatuparan ang matagal na nating pangakong supilin ang mga nanloloko at nananamantala sa online platform (I urge these agencies to expedite their action, as they hold the key to fulfilling our long-standing commitment to crack down on fraudsters and exploiters on online platforms),” he said.