Some rescued POGO workers attend House hearing on illegal POGOs
Summary
TLDRThe Philippine House of Representatives has initiated an inquiry into the proliferation of illegal POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), which are linked to severe crimes including human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and money laundering. Testimonies from rescued workers and the exposure of 42 illegal operations, predominantly in Metro Manila, highlight the urgent need for regulation. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is implementing measures to combat these issues, and government agencies are unified in their support for potential bans or stricter regulations, prioritizing the eradication of human trafficking and the protection of workers' rights.
Takeaways
- ποΈ The House of Representatives has initiated an inquiry into legislation and crimes related to illegal POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators).
- πΉ Disturbing videos of torture were shown during the hearing, highlighting the severity of the situation.
- π₯ Several rescued POGO workers from China, Malaysia, and Vietnam testified about their experiences of physical abuse and torture.
- π According to PAGCOR, there are 42 illegal POGOs in the Philippines, predominantly in Metro Manila.
- π The list of illegal POGOs has been submitted to the Joint House Committees and the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
- π‘οΈ PAGCOR is implementing measures to regulate offshore gaming, including 24/7 monitoring, dismantling hubs, and imposing higher fines.
- π’ The Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (PADORE) supports the decisions of the President and Congress regarding POGOs, including potential bans.
- π¨ Government agencies have expressed support for cracking down on illegal POGOs, with a directive from the Executive Secretary to eradicate human trafficking.
- π€ The Department of Justice (DOJ) commits to aggressive action against POGOs involved in criminal activities, in coordination with law enforcement.
- π The House of Representatives aims to curb illegal activities and ensure regulations are effectively enforced, addressing human rights violations and crimes.
- π’ Local government agencies are urged to strictly observe regulations on internet gaming operations to prevent further issues.
Q & A
What is the purpose of the House of Representatives' inquiry into illegal POGOs?
-The inquiry aims to address legislation and crimes connected to illegal POGOs, including human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, online scams, money laundering, murder, and other serious offenses.
What evidence was presented during the hearing on the illegal POGOs?
-During the hearing, videos of torture with covered faces were played, and several rescued POGO workers from China, Malaysia, and Vietnam attended to share their experiences of physical abuse and torture.
How many illegal POGOs are there in the Philippines according to PAGCOR?
-According to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), there are 42 illegal POGOs in the country, with most of them located in Metro Manila.
What measures is PAGCOR implementing to regulate offshore gaming in the Philippines?
-PAGCOR is implementing measures such as 24/7 monitoring of operation sites, dismantling of POGO hubs, imposition of higher fines and penalties, and strengthened cooperation with law enforcement agencies and other government agencies.
What is the position of the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on the issue of illegal POGOs?
-PAOCC agrees to share the list of illegal POGOs with the public and is working in coordination with other government agencies to address the issue.
How does the Presidential Administration view the potential banning of POGOs?
-The Presidential Administration, represented by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., will support the decision of Congress on POGOs, including the possible banning if a law is passed and the president orders the closure of the industry.
What directive has been given by the Executive Secretary Lucas Pamin regarding human trafficking?
-Executive Secretary Lucas Pamin has given a clear and urgent directive to eradicate human trafficking in the country and ensure the rescue of all victims.
What is the Department of Justice's (DOJ) stance on the issue of illegal POGOs?
-The DOJ commits to continue taking aggressive action against POGOs engaged in criminal activity, in coordination with law enforcement partners, regardless of whether there is an outright ban or maintenance of the status quo.
What is the House of Representatives' goal in addressing the issue of illegal POGOs?
-The House aims to curb illegal activities and ensure regulations are effectively enforced, highlighting the heinous crimes and serious human rights violations affecting both citizens and foreign workers.
What is the role of local government agencies in regulating internet gaming operations?
-Lawmakers are appealing to local government agencies to ensure that regulations on internet gaming operations are strictly observed to prevent illegal activities.
What collective action is being taken by government agencies to address the problems arising from POGO operations?
-Certain government agencies are taking collective actions, with joint meetings to identify which agency has the major role in going after illegal POGO operators and to address the issues arising from their operations.
Outlines
ποΈ Inquiry into Illegal POGOs and Related Crimes
The House of Representatives has initiated an inquiry into the operations of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), which are linked to a range of serious crimes including human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, online scams, money laundering, and murder. During the hearing, videos of torture were shown, and rescued workers from China, Malaysia, and Vietnam testified about their experiences of physical abuse. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported 42 illegal POGOs in the country, mainly in Metro Manila, and has submitted a list to the Joint House committees and the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). Measures to regulate offshore gaming include 24/7 monitoring, dismantling of hubs, imposing higher fines, and strengthened cooperation with law enforcement. The government expresses support for potential POGO bans or regulation changes, emphasizing the need to eradicate human trafficking and protect victims.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘House of Representatives
π‘Moto inquiry
π‘Illegal POGOs
π‘Human trafficking
π‘Torture
π‘Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
π‘Organized crime
π‘Regulation
π‘Law enforcement
π‘President Ferdinand Marcus Jr
π‘Human rights violations
Highlights
The House of Representatives has started a Moto inquiry into legislation and crimes related to illegal POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators), including human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, online scams, money laundering, murder, and more.
During the hearing, videos of torture with covered faces were played, and several rescued POGO workers from China, Malaysia, and Vietnam attended, testifying to physical abuse and torture they experienced.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) reported 42 illegal POGOs in the country, mostly in Metro Manila, with the list submitted to the Joint House committees and the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
PAGCOR is implementing measures to regulate offshore gaming, such as 24/7 monitoring, dismantling POGO hubs, imposing higher fines, and strengthening cooperation with law enforcement and government agencies.
PAOCC agrees to share the list of illegal POGOs with the public and supports the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and Congress on POGOs, including a possible ban if a law is passed.
The Executive Secretary Lucas Pamin issued a clear and urgent directive to eradicate human trafficking and ensure the rescue of all victims.
Government agencies expressed support for pursuing illegal POGOs, with the Department of Justice committing to take aggressive action against POGOs engaged in criminal activity.
The House of Representatives aims to curb illegal activities and ensure regulations are effectively enforced, highlighting the heinous crimes and serious human rights violations affecting both citizens and foreign workers.
Lawmakers appeal to local government agencies to strictly observe regulations on internet gaming operations to prevent illegal POGO activities.
The transcript emphasizes the collective actions of certain government agencies to address the issues arising from POGO operations.
The inquiry seeks to identify the government agency with the major role in going after illegal POGO operators.
The transcript reveals the inhumane conditions under which foreign workers are forced to work at illegal POGOs.
The government acknowledges the negative perspective from the justice and law enforcement sector and defers to PAGCOR and other relevant agencies for benefits assessment.
The Department of Justice commits to continue aggressive action against POGOs involved in criminal activity, in coordination with law enforcement partners.
The transcript underscores the importance of weighing the benefits, dangers, and costs of POGO operations by Congress.
The government's perspective is on the negative side due to the involvement in justice and law enforcement sectors.
The transcript concludes with a statement of service to the people and giving glory to God.
Transcripts
the House of Representatives have
started its Moto inquiry in Aid of
legislation and crimes connected to
Illegal pogos among this are human
trafficking kidnapping torture online
scams money laundering murder and others
during the hearing some videos of the
torture were played with covered faces
several rescued Pogo workers attended
the hearing they originated from China
Malaysia and Vietnam
were you tortured uh have physical abuse
or something the the back the back in
the back back no no no uh in the face
the time them torture me in the face and
then I will report in you were slap or
you were punched yeah yeah get punish
according to Philippine amusement and
Gaming Corporation or pcore there are 42
illegal pogos in the whole country and
most of this are in Metro Manila the
list has been submitted to the Joint
house committees and the Philippine anti
organized crime commission or paok
agrees to share it to the public 45 are
licensed offshore gaming operators pacor
is implementing several measures to
regulate the offshore gaming in the
country such as 24/7 monitoring of
operation sites dismantling of pogo hubs
imposition of higher fines and penalties
strengthened cooperation with law
enforcement agencies and other
government agencies meanwhile the padore
will support whatever the decision of
President Ferdinand Marcus Jr and the
Congress on pogos this includes the
possible Banning of pogos if Congress uh
will pass a law and if the president uh
will order the immediate closure of the
in Pogo uh the elel industry we will be
supportive of such we will not be uh
contradicting whatever decisions
congress senate or the president of the
Philippines will make several government
agencies said expressed their support of
running after illegal pogos the
executive secretary Lucas pamin gave us
a clear and Urgent directive to
eradicate the scourge of human
trafficking in our country and ensure
the rescue of all its
victims we have to admit that our
perspective is on the negative side
being on the justice and law enforcement
sector for the benefits we will have to
defer to pagor and other relevant
government agencies and will submit to
the discretion of Congress who will
weigh the benefits VAV the dangers and
the
costs but whatever the decision of the
body whether it is an outright ban or a
maintenance of the status quo the doj
commits to continue to take aggressive
action against pogo's engag in criminal
activity in coordination with with our
partners in law enforcement the House of
Representatives aim to curb illegal
activities and ensure regulation are
effectively enforced these are heinous
crimes and serious human rights
violations that affect both our citizens
and the foreign workers who are forced
to work at this illegal poos under cruel
and inhumane conditions the issues or
problems arising from the operations of
pogo require the collective actions of
certain government
agencies with this joint meeting we hope
to identify what or which government
agency has the major role in going after
the ilg IL legitimate Pogo operators
meanwhile lawmakers appeal to local
government agencies to ensure
regulations on internet gaming
operations are strictly observed rosao
unv news and rescue we serve the people
we give glory to God
[Music]
Browse More Related Video
NAKU! MALAPIT NANG MA CORNER SI ATTY. HARRY ROQUE!
PBBM - All POGOs are banned effective today
Rescued Malaysian testifies Chinese sold him to Bamban Pogo for P300,000 | INQToday
Pagpapaalis ng mga POGO sa bansa, inirekomenda ng Senate Committee on Ways and Means | Saksi
Marcos: 'All Pogos are banned!'
Ombudsman orders dismissal of Alice Guo over Pogo links | INQToday
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)