‘POGO ban won’t end Senate probe’

MANILA, Philippines — The ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) will not stop the Senate investigation on their criminal activities, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said yesterday.

“It’s not over yet,” Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, family and gender equality, said.

Hontiveros initiated a probe on POGOs in response to reports on their alleged involvement in human trafficking, victimizing mostly women who were forced into prostitution.

Her committee later expanded its investigation to include other serious crimes like kidnapping, murder, torture, scams and even online hacking.

The issue deepened after Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo was linked to a raided massive POGO hub – Zun Yuan Technology – in her municipality.

Hontiveros said her investigation not only seeks to hold Guo and other perpetrators accountable, but also to bring justice to the victims forced into committing crimes.

The Senate investigation would also ensure that the POGO ban is properly enforced, she added.

President Marcos announced a blanket ban on POGOs and internet gaming licensees during his third State of the Nation Address. He ordered the regulator Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to “wind down and cease the operations” of POGOs before yearend.

At least 20,000 foreign nationals are set to be deported as a result of the ban.

“Even with the ban, it is still the Senate’s oversight function to ensure the implementation of the POGO phaseout, to hold those responsible accountable, to give justice to the victim-survivors and to give just transition to the displaced workers,” Hontiveros said.

The Senate has an outstanding arrest order on Guo for contempt for snubbing the previous hearings. She recently posted a rant on Facebook against senators, whom she accused of being fixated on her.

Her accountant Nancy Gamo was the only resource person arrested for contempt and is set to give her testimony in the next hearing set on July 29.

Gamo is Guo’s accountant named in POGO incorporation papers and in Guo family-related companies being linked to money laundering.

Hontiveros’ committee had also invited former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to shed light on allegations that he was lawyering for another illegal POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga recently raided by authorities. It was not clear if he would accept the invitation.