Pogos must be outlawed – Archbishop Villegas

FILE PHOTO: Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) must be outlawed in the country, according to Archbishop Socrates Villegas, pointing out that Pogo-triggered threats and crimes have already “overshadowed” whatever benefits its operations brought to the nation. INQUIRER / Roy Lagarde

MANILA, Philippines—Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates Villegas has joined calls for the end of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos), citing their harmful effects on the country.

In a June 15 pastoral letter, Villegas noted that Pogo-triggered threats and crimes have already “overshadowed” the nation’s benefits from its operations.

“The recent raids that revealed the extent of the evil at these Pogo hubs—including incidences of human trafficking and torture and money laundering—make it a moral imperative that they be outlawed,” said Villegas.

READ: Gatchalian hits Pagcor’s alleged amnesia on Pogos: Nahawa kay Guo?

The clergyman’s pronouncements came amid an intensified crackdown on illegal offshore gaming operations, mainly in the provinces.

Reports of various crimes, including human trafficking, torture, kidnapping, and scamming schemes, have long hounded the offshore gaming business since it emerged in 2016.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. recently said that around 250 to 300 Pogos were operating in the Philippines without a license, significantly higher than the 46 recognized as legitimate operators.