12 Mayo 2024, Linggo
Happy 48th Anniversary Mariveles Baptist Church, Mariveles, Bataan
'POGO-politics'in midterm polls
By Nidz Godino
AMBAN, TARLAC MAYOR ALICE GUO
"Problem is that our PAOCC only has 40 members in their team…that's why they have difficulties in monitoring and conducting raids," Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, referring to Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission that led raid in Tarlac warned against possible emergence of "POGO-politics" following recent raid on Philippine offshore gaming operator in Bamban, Tarlac.
Gatchalian revealed Philippine law enforcement agencies are currently conducting surveillance and monitoring of similar activities in other parts of the country.
Hundreds of workers, mostly Chinese, were rescued during raid at POGO's premises at Baofu compound in Bamban on March 13.
Senate committee on ways and means, Gatchalian chairs, is investigating such POGO operations, including alleged involvement of Bamban Mayor Alice Guo.
Guo denied her involvement in POGO operations during Senate hearing on May 7. But her evasive answers about her childhood, including where she was born and her education, raised suspicions both from Gatchalian and Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who attended hearing.
"We're giving her benefit of the doubt, so we asked her for documents to know who she really is," Gatchalian said in interview.
Similar to "narcopolitics" experienced in other countries, senator warned of emergence of possible "POGO-politics" in the Philippines, noting that syndicates behind POGO operations have links to people in power.
"Because of their influence, they pay politicians or enforcers or support someone to run for office," he said.
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