ILOILO CITY (PIA) – The Iloilo City government has tightened its watch against the possible presence of illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the metro.
On July 10, Mayor Jerry P. Treñas issued Executive Order (EO) No. 094, taking a firm stand to prohibit operations of illegal POGOs in the city to maintain public safety and order.
Treñas’ E.O. No. 094 specifically provides guidelines on enhanced and stricter monitoring and collaboration with the City Hall departments and the police to address issues related to illegal POGO operations.
The E.O. mandated the City Treasurer’s Office, the Local Economic Development and Investment Promotion Office, the Local Economic Enterprise Office, and the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to “utilize their powers under the law to investigate any suspected POGO establishments within the city.”
“This investigation shall include establishment illegally of POGOs without the required regulatory requirements, and establishments operating illegally as POGOs but registered as operating under a different line of business,” part of the E.O. read.
The mayor also stressed that the policy is anchored with the city’s campaign to further promote the general welfare of its people, improve public morals, maintain peace and order, and preserve peace and order of its populace.
“The city will not allow within its jurisdiction any activities which expose its inhabitants to human trafficking, illegal gambling, and other activities detrimental to peace, order, and general welfare. Thus, it is the declared policy of the city to denounce any illegal POGOs, and their activities within the city,” part of the E.O. read.
Treñas released the order following the ongoing investigation of the Iloilo City Council into the proliferation of undocumented immigrants, particularly the reported unregulated activities of Chinese-led POGOs in the city.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., in a press conference, said that there is no presence of illegal POGOs in the province.
He added that they are already content with the benefits coming from the Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies and pointed out that POGOs do not generate jobs for Ilonggos.
Defensor also stressed that the province is coordinating with the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) and the local chief executives (LCEs) to address issues of possible presence of illegal POGOs or foreign nationals. (AAL/JNH/PIA Iloilo)
