The Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) section and the Philippine National Police (PNP) hold received a strong rebuke from the man who used to lead the police force force. In a bold critique of the PNP, former Chief Panfilo Lacson – who is also a three-term former senator – has raised concerns o'er officers piquant inward moonlighting activities as common soldier surety for operators of POGOs.
Lacson, who served as the PNP Chief from 1999 to 2001, verbalized arrest near the possible conflicts of interestingness and implications for the unity of law enforcement. His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of POGOs, which get faced various controversies in recent times.
The former police chief pointed out that constabulary officers, patch on participating duty, should non be at the same time working as common soldier security personnel for entities, especially those in industries under regulatory scrutiny. His remarks, which he posted on X (formerly Twitter), also seemed to include a direct aggress on the young PNP chief, Major General Benjamin Acorda, who was appointed earlier this year.
Philippine Police Double-Dipping
The involvement of law enforcement inward POGO security operations raises questions almost the nonpartisanship and independence of the constabulary strength inwards dealing with potency effectual violations within the gaming sector. The sector has been embroiled inwards numerous scandals lately that involve accusations of human trafficking, coercion, physical abuse and more.
To the PNP leadership, give thanks you for this. Go get them. Many netizens shared the same sentiment based on personal knowledge or experience. Just to remind you, we never tolerated moonlighting and ‘kotong’ cops when I was your CPNP. https://t.co/dF5qB8fctv
— PING LACSON (@iampinglacson) October 12, 2023
Possibly inwards response to Lacson’s concerns, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has taken swift action. It has ordered an investigation into the matter, with DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. apprisal the push this hebdomad that charges could follow filed if the allegations are true.
The DILG is committed to ensuring the transparency and wholeness of law of nature enforcement agencies. The investigating aims to ascertain the extent of law involvement inwards POGO-related security department operations, distinguish any potential breaches of communications protocol and recommend necessary actions to maintain the credibleness of the constabulary force.
POGO Market To Shrink
The POGO sphere is veneer a pivotal second as the gaming regulator PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp) gears upward to unveil its name of late licensed offshore gaming operators later this month. This development follows a substantial shift inwards the regulatory landscape, placing all POGOs under a “probationary stance” inward August.
The stringent probity process, integral to the revised regulatory framework, has been a requirement for operators seeking licensing approval. PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco disclosed that the regulatory organic structure is poised to reprinting between 55 and 65 licenses, while dozens to a greater extent testament follow rejected.
Notably, a remarkable semantic convert accompanies this regulatory evolution, as the operators will no yearner follow identified as POGOs. Instead, they will now follow known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), reflecting a broader manufacture rebranding effort. It’s also an try to score out the stigma associated with the full term POGO.
There experience been calls for the over(p) breakup of the POGO sector, as advantageously as a ban of all online gambling. This is the unmediated result of the thousands of cases of human trafficking that get been associated with sure operators.
However, PAGCOR has repeatedly pointed come out that those cases didn’t regard licensed POGOs. Instead, operators who had exited the licensed market perpetuated the crimes. The public debate is noneffervescent on the tabulate in the Filipino government.
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