A SENATOR on Wednesday urged government agencies to unify their efforts against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), following a “flawed” raid in the capital Manila.
The Philippine National Police, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration, and other law-enforcement agencies such as the Philippine gaming regulator should “craft a consolidated approach” in dealing with POGOs, Senator Sherwin T. Gatchalian said in a statement.
“The absence of unity and coordination among all concerned agencies could potentially weaken our campaign and enable POGOs to exploit gaps and continue their operations.”
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) last week said it was “falsely associated” with the operation in the 40-story Century Peak Tower on Adriatico Street in Ermita, Manila as it led to the release of 69 foreigners who could not be detained legally.
PAOCC said it was neither consulted nor informed about the “flawed” raid.
“We never release any foreign nationals caught in POGOs because all our operations are always properly coordinated with the DoJ-IACAT (Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking) and the Bureau of Immigration,” the agency said in a statement on Saturday.
It denied calling the hub as the “mother of all POGOs.”
“Our advocacy to eliminate all illegal activities emanating from POGOs would be more efficient and effective if we adopt and implement a unified approach,” Mr. Gatchalian said. — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza
