Senator Risa Hontiveros of the Philippines has urged for legislative action to eliminate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) in light of growing concerns over human trafficking. In his capacity as Deputy Minority Leader, Hontiveros has voiced worries about POGOs allegedly serving as a front for illicit activities like identity theft and human trafficking.
Senator Hontiveros is growing more and more worried about POGO facilities, especially the one that was just examined in Bamban, Tarlac. Collaborating with Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, Hontiveros examined the functioning of these establishments and discovered alarming data indicating their potential involvement in unlawful undertakings.
A Call for Legislative Action
Senator Hontiveros has demanded that POGOs be outlawed immediately, claiming that their legal façade conceals a wide range of illicit activities. She contends that although these offshore gambling operations operate as conduits for illicit activity, they have not made a significant economic contribution to the Philippines.
Senator Hontiveros introduced Senate Resolution No. 1001 demanding an investigation into overseas petitions for Philippine citizenship in reaction to the concerning findings. In order to strengthen the argument for outlawing POGO operations, the resolution seeks to reveal the fictitious documentation that these businesses employ to enable illegal immigration.
In the Senate, there has been discussion about Hontiveros’ proposal, resulting in varying viewpoints. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has expressed support for attempts to rid the business of illicit operations while preserving the financial advantages enjoyed by legitimate POGO operators, despite some senators calling for a ban to address concerns about illegal immigration.
Senator Hontiveros’s attempts to stop human trafficking and other illicit activities related to POGOs are summarized in the article, emphasizing the critical necessity for legislative action.
The post Senator Hontiveros Takes Stand Against POGOs, Calls for Ban appeared first on iGaming.org.