The Philippine National Police-Anti Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) says it plans to ask gaming regulator PAGCOR to be part of all future inspections of POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) operators as efforts continue to shut down any illegal activities.
According to Philippine News Agency, the proposal comes after seven Chinese fugitives were discovered among foreign workers rescued during a raid on a POGO in Las Piñas City last month. The PNP-ACG will put forward its proposal for PAGCOR’s consideration.
“We should be active in the conduct of inspections so that we can immediately see if there are any problems within POGOs,” said ACG director Brig. Gen. Sidney Hernia on Monday.
“Right now we are not doing this, PNP is not included. Hopefully, we can institutionalize the presence of the PNP, especially the ACG here in monitoring the inspections that PAGCOR will do.
“These policy changes would help so we no longer depend on numerous police operations. Raids come one right after another. So many people are affected. Most likely, it would be better if they involve us at the policy level.”
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr also expressed his surprise to learn that fugitives had been discovered among the foreign workers rescued in Las Piñas City.
“That is one of the reports that we received coming from our operating units wherein there were some fugitives that were captured in these POGO operations and what is being said is this really the practice or modus operandi that our fugitives use to hide in this kind of hub,” he said. “We are intensifying our efforts as far as the illegal operations of these types of business.” Acorda said.
PAGCOR last week issued a cease and desist order on the operations of Xinchuang Network Technology, Inc in Las Piñas City, having previously shut down another POGO hub in Clark’s Sun Valley.
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