Pagpapaalis ng mga POGO sa bansa, inirekomenda ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means | Saksi

Summary

The Philippine Senate panel is recommending the removal of all offshore gaming operators (Pogo) from the country due to a significant increase in Pogo-related crimes, nearly tripling from 2022 to 2023. Issues include underpayment, abuse, and kidnapping of foreign workers. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reports over 4,000 Pogo-related crime victims from January to June. Senators are debating whether to implement an immediate total ban or a phased-out approach within three months. Concerns include the potential economic impact, estimated at less than 1% of GDP and collections, and the need to find new employment for displaced Filipino Pogo workers. The Senate also addresses the social issues of human trafficking, prostitution, and scams, urging the Department of Labor to find alternative jobs and the Bureau of Immigration to cancel visas of foreign Pogo workers.

Takeaways

• ⚖️ The Senate panel is recommending the release of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the Philippines due to the associated crimes nearly tripling this year compared to 2022.
• 👮‍♂️ There have been reports of POGO workers not being paid properly and being harmed by foreigners, with some allegedly being kidnapped, assaulted, and extorted.
• 🏢 Registered POGO establishments have been raided by authorities for operating as cybercrime hubs amidst ongoing controversies.
• 📉 The Senate committee on ways and means has proposed the total ban of POGOs in the Philippines, with 10 senators signing the committee report to pass a Senate resolution for executive action.
• 🔍 The crimes associated with POGOs have significantly increased, with many arrests made for scamming, using POGOs as a front for their illegal activities.
• 💼 Senator Win Gatchalian cited over 4,000 victims of POGO-related crimes reported by the Philippine National Police from January 17 to June of this year.
• 🚫 The debate in the Senate revolves around whether to implement an immediate total ban or a phased-out approach over three months.
• 💼 Senator Gatchalian is not concerned about the potential economic impact, stating it would be less than 1% on the GDP and collections.
• 🛂 The Department of Labor is tasked with finding new jobs for Filipino POGO employees, while the Bureau of Immigration is ordered to cancel visas of foreign nationals working in POGOs and facilitate their deportation.
• 🚨 Several senators insist on the removal of POGOs from the country due to the threat they pose to peace and order, and the danger they pose to the lives of Filipinos.
• 🏛️ Senator JV Ejercito suggests a two to three-month phase-out for legal POGOs, but illegal ones should be shut down immediately.

Q & A

What is the recommendation of the Senate committee regarding Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)?

The Senate committee on ways and means recommended the total ban of all POGOs in the Philippines.

How has the crime rate involving POGOs changed from 2022 to the current year?

The crimes involving POGOs have almost tripled compared to the previous year.

What are some of the issues faced by POGO workers mentioned in the transcript?

Some POGO workers are not being paid correctly, are being harmed, and there are allegations of kidnapping, harassment, and human trafficking.

What is the role of the Senate in addressing the POGO-related crimes?

The Senate is debating whether to implement an immediate total ban on POGOs or to phase them out within three months.

What is the reported impact of POGO-related crimes on the Philippines' economy?

The impact on the GDP is less than 1%, and the impact on collections is also less than 1%, according to Senator Win Gatchalian.

What measures are being proposed for Filipino employees of POGOs after the ban?

The labor department is tasked with finding new jobs for Filipino employees of POGOs.

What action is suggested for foreign nationals working in POGOs?

The Bureau of Immigration is instructed to cancel the visas of foreign nationals working in POGOs and arrange for their deportation.

What are the concerns raised by Senator Risa Hontiveros regarding POGOs?

Senator Risa Hontiveros is concerned about the crimes and degradation of women brought about by POGOs, including prostitution and human trafficking.

What is Senator JV Ejercito's stance on the POGO issue?

Senator JV Ejercito suggests a two to three-month phase-out for legal POGOs, while illegal POGOs should be immediately removed.

Why did Senator IMY Marcos not sign the committee report?

Senator IMY Marcos wants further study of the issue, although she agrees that POGOs are harmful.

What is the next step for the Senate regarding the POGO issue?

The report will be discussed in the plenary, and Senator Galan is hopeful to get enough votes to push for the immediate ban of POGOs.