Press Release

Strict implementation of PH laws to continue on POGOs – Palace



Malacañang on Monday, March 2, said that strict enforcement of immigration laws, including those with respect to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), will be maintained after the recent killing of a Chinese online gaming worker in Makati City.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel and Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Salvador S. Panelo said in a press briefing that the matter is already being investigated by authorities.

“That goes without saying [strict enforcement of immigration laws] because as the President says any violation of any immigration law or law of this country will not be countenanced,” Panelo mentioned.

Meanwhile, the Palace official called on some Senators who accused POGOs of laundering money to provide the Executive branch with reports so that the latter can act on it.

This after Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon expressed concerns that huge amounts of money that were brought to the Philippine soil by the POGOs are part of a money-laundering scheme.

“[B]ut if the good Senator has information on that, I think they should provide us with intelligence reports so that we can pursue their line of belief on that matter,” Panelo explained.

“They should help the government provide information so that we can properly address the matter,” he added.

For Panelo, if this is proven to be true, the President’s directive will be to investigate the matter. But if the Senate has already began the investigation, the Chief Executive shall initially wait for the result of the same before assessing what measures to undertake next, Panelo said. ###OPS/PCOO