Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns on Tuesday about the potential ties between Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and surveillance activities, as well as their involvement in the hacking of government websites.

The senator voiced her concerns during the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality hearing regarding the recently raided POGO in Bamban, Tarlac, where extensive scam operations were exposed.

“I was very disturbed to hear that there is persuasive information from the intelligence community stating na itong Bamban complex na ito ay ginagamit for surveillance activities, at ang ilang nabalitang high profile cases of hacking of our own government websites ay traceable sa complex na ito,” Hontiveros said in her opening statement.

On April 24, the senator inspected Zun Yuan Technology, Inc., a licensed POGO situated in the Baofu compound in Bamban. Following the discovery of Chinese fugitives at the facility, she reiterated her stance on banning POGOs.

“Ilang beses na natin pinanawagan na palayasin ang mga POGO sa bansa dahil puro krimen at pugante lang ang dala. Ngayon na may nakikita pang national security issue, ano pa nga ba ang hinihintay ng gobyerno? Bakit hindi parin ipinagbabawal ang mga POGO?” Hontiveros asked.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reports that a significant number of cyberfraud and cyberscam investigations worldwide can be traced back to the Philippines.

“Tayo na po ay isa sa fastest growing hotspot for scams sa buong mundo. If these scam hubs are so lucrative, hindi na ito titigil. This would just grow and grow. And before we know it, we would be faced with a threat to our national security like nothing we have ever seen before,” Hontiveros warned.

“Halo-halong kalamay na ang scams, national security threats, at human trafficking. And let us be clear: POGOs are scam centers. POGOs are a hotspot of fugitives. POGOs are a petri dish for crimes. Kung gusto talaga labanan ng administrasyon ang krimen at ang banta sa ating pambansang seguridad, the President should start with banning POGOs,” Hontiveros concluded.

📷 Sen. Risa Hontiveros FB