THE Valenzuela City Council yesterday passed an ordinance prohibiting the operation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) firms in the city.
Valenzuela City Mayor Wes Gachalian, who announced the passage of the ordinance, said the measure aims to avoid crimes that come with the operations of POGO.
While acknowledging the economic benefits, specifically “substantial taxes” that POGO operations bring, Gatchalian said there are also negative impacts to such operations.
“We don’t want to come to the point that these POGO issues will reach the city,” said Gatchalian, referring to issues such as money laundering, prostitution, intimidation, and kidnapping, among others.
“We are fortunate that there is no POGO firm operating here but we, along with the city council, are just being proactive. We don’t want to reach the point where they will operate here and prevent them later. This early, we’re already preventing them,” said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said the country’s resources are being used to address the crimes that result from POGO operations.
“Unfortunately, after that (commission of crimes), these will be reported to the police. Philippine resources, police resources will be used,” said Gatchalian.
Gatchalian said the local police are already addressing many problems, adding it’s not right to give the police additional problems that may be caused by POGO operations.
Gatchalian said the city also passed two other ordinances yesterday, including the prohibition of all forms of illegal gambling which he said is a reiteration of national laws already being implemented in the city.
“We always put into consideration their social and moral impact
to the community, that’s very important to us,” said Gatchalian, referring to the effects of illegal gambling.
The other ordinance, Gatchalian said, is for temporary disallowing of new applicants for small-town lotteries and online games.
“The existing applicants, we can do nothing about them, they are already operation, but we are strictly regulating,” said Gatchalian.
“There are few operating here in Valenzuela. But the rest of the applicants, we are disallowing them for five years,” said Gatchalian.
