The House of Representatives will launch an investigation into the Philippine Offshore Gaming Industry (POGO) starting on July 17 (Wednesday).
Dan Ferrandis, Chairman of the House of Representatives Public Order and Safety Committee, stated on July 15, 2024 that House Speaker Martin • Romualdis tasked the commission and the Gaming and Entertainment Commission with investigating.
In the unannounced interview, he told reporters: "Overall, we will try to find out their crimes and the people involved in them. People.”
When asked whether the investigation would also look into the online gambling center in Pangban town, Tarlac province, Ferrandis Answer: "We don't want to just focus on Alice Guo because there are so many details. We want to know the details of the criminal activity going on within the POGO."
He said that they have invited the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Department of Justice ( DOJ), Presidential Task Force Against Organized Crime (PAOCTF), League of Cities of the Philippines and League of Cities and Towns of the Philippines.
Ferrandis pointed out: "We need to know why they are carrying out such criminal activities within POGOs. What is this Situation, do they need to have different types of scams to get us higher profits? Is there the local government? Is there anyone else?
He said mayors should take the initiative to close illegal online gambling centers instead of relying on the President's Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, the Judiciary The troops came to hunt them down.
When asked about his personal stance on the online gambling industry, Ferrandis said: "I don't like gambling. But of course, the gambling industry is legal, that's why we protect the legal gambling industry, maybe we should outlaw illegal gambling, it's already a bad habit, and it's too much that it's still operating illegally in Davao. Bookmakers chairman Al Tenko said the industry can really help, but if it affects national security, I think we have to ban it."
