The Philippine National Police (PNP) is said to be looking into allegations that some officers have been moonlighting as security escorts for Chinese POGO Operators.
According to local media reports, the issue was first raised by former PNP chief Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who posted a message on X, formerly Twitter, stating, “The PNP should look into reports that some policemen moonlight as escorts of Chinese POGO operators. This may explain why even during office hours, too many luxury vehicles zigzag through heavy traffic while motorcycle cops push motorists away to clear their passage. Shameless!”
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr addressed the issue this week, insisting any police officers found to be working as security escorts for Chinese operators of POGOs would be charged.
“If there are, that is completely unauthorized and we will make sure that we will look into it or even [the PNP Internal Affairs Service], so charges will be filed against these personnel,” he said, as per Philippine News Agency.
“We need our police for important matters … there is no room for [escorting of POGOs]. That’s illegal. If there are, we will make sure they will be dismissed.”
The allegations come as gaming regulator PAGCOR prepares to release later this month its list of newly licensed offshore gaming operators. All POGOs were placed under a “probationary stance” in August and required to undergo a strict probity process under a revised regulatory framework, with PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco telling IAG it would issue between 55 and 65 licenses.
He also revealed that offshore operators will no longer be known as POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) and will instead be referred to as Internet Gaming Licensees, or IGLs.
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