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

GMA Integrated News

20 Sept 202303:57

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Call for Ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators

The Senate panel has recommended the removal of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) from the Philippines due to a significant increase in POGO-related crimes. Senator Win Gatchalian cited a nearly tripled rate of crimes compared to 2022, including scams and human trafficking. The report from the Senate committee on ways and means has been signed by 10 senators, aiming to pass a Senate resolution for the executive branch to ban POGOs. The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported over 4,000 victims of POGO-related crimes from January to June of this year. The debate in the Senate revolves around whether to implement an immediate total ban or a phased-out approach within three months. Senator Gatchalian dismissed concerns about the economic impact, stating it would be less than 1% on GDP and collections. The report also suggests that the Labor Department should find new jobs for Filipino POGO employees, and the Bureau of Immigration should cancel visas of foreign nationals working in POGOs. Some senators argue for a complete removal of POGOs to protect peace and order and the lives of Filipinos, while others call for further investigation into the industry's impact.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)

Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, or POGOs, refer to companies licensed to operate online gaming platforms in the Philippines. In the script, POGOs are highlighted as a source of multiple crimes and controversies, including labor issues and scams. The Senate panel is considering their removal from the country due to the associated problems.

💡Crimes

The term 'crimes' in the script refers to various illegal activities linked to POGOs, such as scamming, kidnapping, and human trafficking. The script mentions a significant increase in crimes related to POGOs, which has led to calls for their ban by the Senate committee.

💡Senate Panel

The Senate Panel mentioned in the script is a group of senators discussing and making decisions on legislative matters. In this context, they are deliberating on the issue of POGOs and their impact on the country, suggesting a total ban as a solution.

💡Cyber Crime Hubs

Cyber Crime Hubs are locations where cybercriminal activities are concentrated. The script implies that some POGO establishments are being used as fronts for such criminal activities, contributing to the negative perception and calls for their closure.

💡Human Trafficking

Human trafficking involves the illegal trade of people for various exploitative purposes. The script highlights concerns that POGOs may be involved in or contributing to human trafficking, which is a significant crime and a point of contention in the debate over their operation in the Philippines.

💡Economic Impact

The economic impact discussed in the script refers to the potential effects on the country's GDP and revenue collections if POGOs are banned. Senator Win Gatchalian mentions that the impact would be less than 1%, suggesting that the negative social effects of POGOs outweigh the minimal economic benefits.

💡Labor Department

The Labor Department is responsible for protecting workers' rights and ensuring fair labor practices. In the context of the script, it is suggested that the Labor Department should find new employment opportunities for Filipino employees of POGOs if these establishments are shut down.

💡Bureau of Immigration

The Bureau of Immigration is a government agency that manages immigration policies and procedures. The script mentions that this bureau should cancel the visas of foreign nationals working in POGOs and facilitate their deportation if a ban is implemented.

💡Prostitution and Scams

The script connects POGOs to an increase in prostitution and scam activities, which are seen as detrimental to the social fabric and reputation of the country. These issues are part of the reasons why some senators are advocating for a ban on POGOs.

💡Face Out

In the script, 'face out' refers to a proposed gradual process of phasing out POGOs over a period of two to three months. This approach is contrasted with an immediate total ban, suggesting a more controlled and orderly shutdown to minimize disruptions.

💡Peace and Order

Peace and order are concepts that refer to the state of public safety and stability in society. The script suggests that POGOs are affecting peace and order negatively, endangering the lives of Filipinos, and thus need to be addressed by the Senate.

Highlights

Senate panel recommends the release of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogo) in the Philippines.

Crimes related to Pogo have nearly tripled this year compared to 2022.

Senator Mav Gonzalez reports on Pogo workers not being paid properly and being harmed by foreigners.

Some Pogo workers have allegedly been kidnapped, assaulted, and extorted.

Authorities have raided establishments registered as Pogo but operating as cybercrime hubs.

Senate committee on ways and means recommends the removal of all Pogo from the Philippines.

Ten senators sign the committee report aiming to pass a Senate resolution for the executive to ban Pogo.

The crimes associated with Pogo have led to a consensus among senators to discuss a ban on Pogo operations.

Senator Win Gatchalian cites over 4,000 victims of Pogo-related crimes reported by the PNP from January to June of this year.

The debate in the Senate is whether to implement an immediate total ban or a phased-out approach within three months.

Senator Gatchalian is not concerned about the potential economic impact, estimating less than 1% effect on GDP and collections.

The committee report suggests that the Labor Department should find new jobs for Filipino Pogo employees.

The Bureau of Immigration is ordered to cancel the visas of foreign nationals working in Pogo and facilitate their deportation.

Some senators insist on the immediate removal of Pogo due to its impact on peace and order and the safety of Filipinos.

Senator Risa Hontiveros calls for the removal of Pogo, stating that it brings crime and degrades the nation's image.

The Senate committee on women is investigating the effects of Pogo, including prostitution, human trafficking, and scams.

Senator JV Ejercito suggests a two to three-month phase-out for legal Pogo operations, but immediate removal of illegal Pogo.

Senator IMY Marcos did not sign the committee report, wanting further study, but agrees that Pogo is detrimental.

Senator Gatchalian is confident that the report will be discussed in the plenary and is hopeful of gaining enough votes to push through the ban.