PAOCC, DSWD team up to care for 24 ‘POGO babies’

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced on Friday that it partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to provide for the needs of more than 20 children of former Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) employees.

“Sa ngayon po kasi, mayroon kaming mga 24 na mga POGO babies at sila ay sinusuportahan ng PAOCC pagdating sa kanilang mga pangangailangan. Even yung hospitalization ng mga bata kapag nagkakasakit, kami po ang tumutulong diyan,” said PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(Currently, we are supporting around 24 POGO babies. We provide for their needs, including assisting with their hospitalization when they get sick.)

These infants are children of foreign POGO workers who are awaiting deportation as the government prepares to shut down POGOs by the end of the year.

“So nakipag-coordinate na rin kami sa DSWD. Hindi naman po pwedeng puro suporta pagdating sa panggatas, pam-Pampers, at pambayad sa renta. Kailangan magkaroon ng kabuhayan yung pamilya para ipantustos niya sa pagpapalaki ng bata,” said Cruz.

(We've also coordinated with the DSWD. It’s not just about providing milk, diapers, or paying rent. Their families need sustainable livelihoods to support the children's upbringing.)

The PAOCC revealed that about 400 foreign nationals who previously worked in POGOs are currently under their custody.

“Just this month alone, naka-deport tayo ng kulang kulang mga 250 foreign nationals at may mga susunod pa po,” said Cruz.

(Just this month alone, we’ve deported nearly 250 foreign nationals, and more are expected to follow.)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for an outright ban on POGOs during his third State of the Nation Address in July. 

In November, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74, formally prohibiting POGOs, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations in the country. — DVM, GMA Integrated News