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The Governor, Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo Province has stated that there are no Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in the province or the city.
“We don’t have a POGO in the province,” the Governor reiterated, saying that the province is “content with BPOs (business process outsourcing),” and that “POGOs do not generate employment for Ilonggos.”
However, he will work with the local police and mayors to “address the concern about foreign nationals suspected of working in the province to ‘enforce the law that governs the situation.’”
In the meantime, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas of Iloilo City has released Executive Order 94, which will “direct the City Treasurer’s Office, the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office, and the Local Economic Enterprise Office, together with the Iloilo City Police, to ‘utilise their powers under the law to investigate any suspected POGO establishments in the city.’”
Following the recent illegal POGOs arrest saga, in which an ex-senator was also arrested and charged in court, government departments and people representatives are taking preventive measures ranging from enhancing security checks to screen for possible suspects especially foreigners, to outwardly calling for a ban on all online gambling.
Just yesterday, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) stated that POGO hubs will not be allowed to operate anymore, and new guidelines will be created to monitor the remaining 43 licensed electronic gaming operators.
