MANILA – ““Effective today, all POGOs (Phillippine Offhore Gaming Operators) are banned.”
Thus, said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr to lawmakers and government officials who attended his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), who erupted in cheers of approval amid calls to end the existence of POGOs in the country.
The POGOs had apparently become breeding ground for illegal activities by Chinese nationals who violate the laws of the country.
The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said there are more than 40 licensed POGOs and some 298 illegal POGOs who operate illegally all over the country.
These illegal POGOs engage in human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, prostitution, love scams and other illegal activities.
Saving his message for last as his report to the Filipino people was about to end, President Marcos has banned POGOs in the country to the wild cheers of lawmakers, government officials, and visitors to the SONA 2024 held during the joint session of Congress at the Batasang Pambansa Complex on Monday, July 22.
“At ngayon po maririnig namin ang malakas na sigaw ng taumbayan laban sa mga POGO,” Marcos said.
“Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into elicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder. The grave abuse and great disrespect to our system of laws must stop. Kailangan nang itigil ang paggulo nito sa ating lipunan at panglalapastangan sa ating bansa,” according to Marcos.
“Effective today, all POGOs are banned. I hereby instruct PAGCOR to wind down and seize the operation of POGOs by the end of the year.
“The DOLE, in coordination with our economic managers shall use the time between now and then to find jobs for our countrymen who will be displaced. This will solve many of the problems that we are encountering, it will solve many of the problems that we have been encountering. But it will not solve all of them.
“To solve all the problems that we have been suffering under, all officials, law enforcers, workers in government, and most of all the citizenry must always be vigilant, principled, and think of the health of the nation,” Marcos said.
Marcos ended his speech with the wisdom of nineteenth-century British philosopher and political theorist John Stuart Mill: “Let me end by recalling the words of a great man. ‘Let no one pacify his conscience by the delusion that he can do no harm if he takes no part, and forms no opinion. Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.’”
Porac Mayor backs POGO ban
Meanwhile, Porac Mayor Jaime “Jing” Capil said he will support President Marcos call to ban POGOs in the country.
“Following the significant challenges posed by POGOs, we fully support President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive for a total ban on POGOs. We extend our gratitude to all the senators and congressmen who have diligently and passionately worked in the interest of the people and the national welfare.
“Our President has genuinely listened to the voice of the people, as conveyed through the efforts of our hardworking legislators.
“Despite the negative publicity we have faced in recent weeks, we have consistently and courageously participated in all hearings related to POGOs to uncover the truth. We will continue to support all government efforts in alignment with our President’s directive towards a complete POGO ban,” Mayor Capil said.