POGO ban shouldn’t be 'selective' —Bong Go

Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Saturday appealed to the Marcos administration "not to be selective" in its move to ban Philippines offshore gaming operators (POGO) in the Philippines.

The senator issued the statement after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) chairperson Alejandro Tengco appealed to Malacañang that 12 of the 43 POGO companies in the Philippines be spared from the ban as these are customer service agents for gaming companies. 

“Dapat 'totally' talaga. Kapag sinabing ‘totally,’ totally. Huwag naman yung selective na mayroong maiiwan,” Go said.

During his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  said  he is banning all POGOs in the country by the end of the year.

Go, nevertheless, backed Marcos’ pronouncement that all POGOs in the country are banned “effective immediately.”

“Naghahasik sila [POGOs] ng lagim dito. Compromised na po ang peace and order. Kaya suportado ko po ang desisyon ng administration to totally ban all POGO operations,“ the lawmaker said.

As vice chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order, Go said that peace and order and national security must be prioritized in implementing policies and regulating such activities in the country. 

He earlier reaffirmed his long-held position that the government must prioritize the well-being and security of its citizens. 

Go acknowledged the economic impact of POGOs but highlighted the potential risks and negative consequences of their continued presence. —VAL, GMA Integrated News