Department of Interior and Legal Management (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla reported on Wednesday that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are now “operating” as restaurants and resorts.
During the interpolation of Senator Rsa Hontiveros in which she cited the department’s directive to local government units to use their visitorial powers to crack the whip on illegal POGOs and scam farms, Remulla said that the power of the local chief executives to visit and inspect all establishments in their jurisdiction will be the key to crack down illegal POGOs and scam hubs operations.
“The biggest disguise that they are going through now is that they are applying for resorts and restaurants. So it is the power of the mayor to visit the establishments and make sure that what is going on is what exactly is intended,” Remulla said.
Meanwhile, the scam hubs that did not bother to get business permits will be answered through the special units of the Philippine National Police, and National Bureau of Immigration (NBI).
“So strategically located talaga itong mga institution kaugnay ng Department,” Hontiveros said.
