Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 27) — Confining the business of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGOs to a “POGO Zone” is one of the solutions being pushed in the Senate to thwart crimes related to the industry.
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, chairman of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said on Friday the government should either shut down all POGO operations or enforce strict regulations, such as putting them all in one place for constant monitoring.
“Gawin natin ilagay natin sila sa isang lugar para bang export processing zone. Nasa isang zone lang sila or POGO Zone. Doon lang sila para madaling i-secure ng ating kapulisan at malaman kaagad kung may krimen na nangyayari,” Dela Rosa said in an online media interview.
[Translation: What we should do is place them all in one area, similar to an export processing zone. They will be in one zone or POGO Zone so our police can better secure them and prevent crimes.]
Dela Rosa said he has yet to identify a potential site for such a zone.
A former Philippine National Police chief, Dela Rosa said the law enforcers’ limited access to POGO establishments led to the spate of kidnappings and other crimes which prompted marathon congressional hearings.
Having a “POGO Zone” will also make it easier for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation to regulate the industry’s operations, Dela Rosa said.
