June 26, 2024 - The Veterans Federation of the Philippines (VFP) is urging the government to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), citing national security concerns and alleged involvement in criminal activities.
The VFP, a strong advocate for the country's well-being, expressed their belief that POGOs pose a significant threat to social order. They allege POGOs are linked to syndicated crimes like scamming, bribery, torture, human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, and illegal drug operations.
The federation applauds the efforts of the defense and security sector for exposing these illegal activities and pledges their full support to the government's fight against corruption. They called upon all Filipinos to unite and advocate for the eradication of these "organized crime hubs."
While there are no recent news reports of the VFP's specific call for a total ban, the Philippine government has been cracking down on POGOs since February 2022. The government aims to cancel licenses of illegally operating POGOs, citing their involvement in money laundering and human trafficking.
The extent of the government's crackdown and the number of licenses to be revoked remain unclear. However, the VFP's stance adds to the growing pressure to address the alleged negative impacts of POGOs in the Philippines.