(Eagle News)–Senator Francis Pangilinan urged the government to listen to China and cancel the licenses of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators.
In backing the call of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, Pangilinan noted that gambling was illegal in China in the first place.
Some forms of gambling, including online gambling, are legal in the Philippines.
“Ibig sabihin, mga Chinese criminal ang nagpapatakbo ng mga POGO dito sa Pilipinas,” he said.
He also noted that the “last few months saw an increase in crime reports involving POGO players and financiers who break the law but do not allow themselves to be subjected to our laws.”
He added the presence of Chinese POGO workers in neighborhoods has also fueled racial antagonism among local residents, who detest some of the foreigners’ “dirty habits” such as smoking.
“Meron ding mga isyu ng pananamantala sa mga manggagawang Tsino, ng mga iresponsableng operator at ng di-pagbayad ng buwis sa industriyang ito. Di dapat binabalewala ang mga ito,” he added.
He also noted Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s remark those employed in POGOs could easily shift to spying since these were built close to military facilities.
“It is the Philippine government that is condoning the operations of criminal syndicates. Nakakaduda tuloy kung totoo nga ba anti-crime and anti-corruption campaign ng administrasyong ito dahil pinapayagan ang mga Chinese criminal na malayang magsagawa ng mga iligal na negosyo dito sa atin,” Pangilinan said.
Following the Chinese embassy’s statement, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. suspended accepting applications for POGOs, a development which was “noted and appreciated” by the Chinese Foreign Ministry.
The Palace has said that the banning of POGOs in the country was in the hands of Congress, and was not up to President Rodrigo Duterte.
Nothing much can be done as long as online gaming is legal in the Philippines, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.
