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Local government

Philippines Cracks Down on Illegal Offshore Gaming Operations Amid Ramped-Up Kidnapping Incidents

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Government agencies have pledged to work together to tackle the issue of kidnapping cases linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) industry. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have committed to safeguard the welfare and safety of Filipino and foreign nationals working in the country. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed the agencies to crack down on the recent POGO-related kidnapping cases and other illegal activities, which he said are tarnishing the image of the country and the administration.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) will lead the interagency collaboration to address the recent Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO)-related kidnapping cases and other illegal activities.
  • Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco has announced that an initial step in the interagency undertaking is to identify and crack down on illegal operators responsible for the kidnapping incidents.
  • Licensed POGO operators have committed to help address the problem by promoting employee self-regulation, requiring police clearance, and submitting an updated list of employees.
  • If the kidnapping of foreign workers in the country is not abated, the Pagcor CEO warned that the consequences may affect even legitimate POGO operators, and the industry may be affected by a national government decision to cancel licenses.
  • PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin requested POGO operators to surrender their permit to carry firearms and furnish the PNP with updated information on foreign workers' employment permits.
  • Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' C. Abalos emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation and regular up-to-date information on legitimate foreign POGO workers to avoid human trafficking problems.
  • The DILG has started a crackdown against human trafficking and has already rescued 43 Chinese nationals who were enslaved under human trafficking conditions in Angeles City on September 14.
  • The DOJ, in coordination with NBI and the Bureau of Immigration, will cause the immediate summary deportation of arrested illegal foreign workers and those responsible for kidnapping and related criminal activities.

Statistics:

  • 43 Chinese nationals were rescued in an operation in Angeles City on September 14 after being enslaved under human trafficking conditions.
  • The PNP and other participating agencies have been given a timeline of two weeks to abate all POGO-related illegal activities in the country.

Sources:

  • Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco
  • PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo S. Azurin
  • Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin 'Benhur' C. Abalos
  • DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla
  • "Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor)" - an interagency meeting statement on the cooperation to address POGO-related kidnapping cases
  • "43 Chinese nationals rescued in Angeles City human trafficking operation" - a news article citing DILG's crackdown against human trafficking.

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