Lawmdker seeks probe of illegal POGOs

The chairman of the House umegistered local or foreign He said the Pagcor should the personalities behind illegal
of Representatives committee corporations, not onlv think of the finan- offshore gaming.
on dangerous drugs yesterdaY "They have no legal per- cial gain the government An inlrastructure-oriented
called for an inquiry into what sonaliW because their names may derive from offshore think tank called on the Pag-
he described as "colorum" are not found in the business/ gaming. cor to cancel plans of setting
Philippine Offshore Gaming company registry in the PhiI- The senator said the state- up POGO hubs amid rePorts
Operators or POGOs doing ippines or abroad. They are owned gaming firm shouid be of cryptocurrency traud and
business in the countrv. bogus or ghost " he said. more pludent and diligent in human traffi&ing tied to the
Surigao del Norte R6p. Rob- He pointed out that like ma- licensing POGO applicants. country's burgeoning offshore
ert Ace Barbers said these fia and drug rings, illegal PO- Barbers called for legisla- gaming industry.
illegal POGOs "may under- Gos arc used to launder funds tion to prevent offshore gam- Terry Ridon, Infrawatch
mine the administration's eamed.from illicit activitids. ing companies from making Philippine convenor, sai d
anti-money latrndering and "A close scrutiny oI these the Philippines a haven for the recent string of raids on
the campaign against drugs gaming operators could pos- money laundering and other fraudulent Chinese cryPto
and crimes." sibly uncover their links to illegal activities. firms and human trafficking
Barbers said he has received ille[al drugs and organized He also urged the Phil- rackets should prompt Pagcor
information that 46 out of the crimes. However, this requires ippine Drug Enf orcement to imDlement its Droposal to
58 POGOs licensed by the a deep, profound and perhaPs Agency, National Bureau of establ'ish POGo fiubi in the
Philippine Amusement and long and tedious investiga- Investigation and Philippine courttrv.
Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) are tiory" Barbers said. National Police to look into - Jdss Diaz, Paolo Romero
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