JV Ejercito lauds PNP for “zero incidents” of POGO-related crimes in October
October 11, 2022
Senator Joseph Victor on Tuesday commended the
Philippine National Police (PNP) for bringing down crimes related to Philippine
Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) this month, which saw zero incidents related
to online gambling services.
During the joint hearing of the Senate
Committee on Ways and Means and Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs,
Ejercito said this feat was made possible by increased police visibility in
areas with high concentrations of POGO operations.
“Kaya naman pala ang zero incidents as long as
the PNP increases its police visibility. Ako, nakikita ko because I bike around
the area, these POGO areas. Nakita ko yung mga baguhang pulis, lahat. They’re
on patrol in the hotels and in the establishments,” he said.
“I hope the PNP will continue doing these
because these will serve as a deterrent for (the criminal activities of) all of
these foreign nationals that are working here,” he added.
PMGen. Eliseo DC. Cruz, head of the PNP
Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management, said the PNP has
recorded a total of 38 POGO-related cases since January 2022. Most of these
incidents, he said, involved kidnapping for ransom and human trafficking.
Eliseo said police authorities have heightened
their presence in cities where most POGO firms are currently based. These
include Pasay, Makati, Muntinlupa, and Las Pinas.
Yesterday, the lawmaker from San Juan lauded
the PNP National Capital Region Southern Police District for successfully
reducing POGO-related incidents in their jurisdiction.
Ejercito said this move has been crucial in
discouraging criminal activities by foreign nations who were previously
emboldened by the lax law enforcement in the country.
“Parang naging hub tayo ng mga sindikato because ang
tingin ng mga criminal syndicates: dito, nabibili ang pulitiko, nabibili pati
ang pulis, ineescortan pa,” he said.
