The Philippine Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality has closed its investigation into illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The probe, led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, revealed that POGOs, introduced in 2016, became a front for large-scale criminal activities, including human trafficking, forced labour, and online fraud.
Hontiveros unveiled a web of personalities implicated in these activities during the final hearing, which included dismissed Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo, an alleged Chinese national operating under the false identity Guo Hua Ping, and former presidential adviser Michael Yang. Allegations extended to former President Rodrigo Duterte, accused of enabling these operations during his administration.
Alice Guo and her family were highlighted as central players in the controversy. Her network reportedly involved various businesses linked to the illicit operations, with her relatives and associates accused of complicity. Guo, elected using fraudulent documents, allegedly facilitated POGO operations in her jurisdiction before her arrest in Indonesia and subsequent extradition to the Philippines.
Other individuals implicated include self-confessed Chinese spy She Zhijiang, alleged Chinese Communist Party handler Ma Dong Li, and prominent figures tied to controversial business dealings, such as Harry Roque and Rose Nono Lin. Connections to the Pharmally scandal, which involved overpriced medical supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic, further underscored the far-reaching implications of the POGO network.
Systemic flaws enable crimes
The Senate investigation revealed that systemic failures in the Philippines allowed such illegal activities to flourish. Weak regulations around birth certificates, immigration, and business registrations created vulnerabilities that POGOs exploited. Hontiveros criticised the misuse of democratic privileges, including running for public office and participating in elections, as mechanisms for advancing criminal operations.
Hontiveros stressed that while the hearings exposed individuals, the focus remained on addressing systemic flaws. She emphasised the need for legislative reforms to prevent similar abuses and safeguard national security.
Calls for stronger enforcement
While President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Executive Order 74 banned internet gaming, Hontiveros highlighted ambiguities that could hinder its enforcement. She advocated for amendments to the Anti-POGO bill to ensure comprehensive prohibitions and a failsafe approach to preventing future abuses.
The Senate probe’s conclusion signals the end of a critical chapter in the government’s crackdown on POGOs. However, it also marks the beginning of a broader push for reforms to address the systemic weaknesses exposed by this investigation. As the implicated individuals await legal proceedings, the focus now shifts to implementing robust measures to protect the nation from similar threats.
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