MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the signing of the standard operating procedures (SOP) for enforcing the ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), saying the move was long overdue and should lead to a broader crackdown on related criminal activities.

“I welcome the newly signed Standard Operating Procedures on the implementation of the POGO ban. Matagal na itong dapat ginawa. Sa mga hearing na pinamunuan ko sa Senado, lumabas ang katotohanan na hindi simpleng sugal ang ginagawa dyan,” Hontiveros said.

She called on the administration to demonstrate its commitment to enforcing the Anti-POGO Law, citing findings from Senate hearings that linked POGO hubs to various illegal activities.

“Ngayon, dapat ipakita ng administrayon na sineseryoso nito ang pagpapatupad ng Anti-POGO Law. These hubs were a cover for an entire criminal ecosystem: human trafficking, scam operations, extortion, illegal detention, and money laundering. Lahat yan, sa ngayon, hindi pa tuluyang nabubuwag,” she said.

Hontiveros warned that the networks behind these operations remain active, with ongoing reports of scams and human trafficking involving Filipinos.

“Gumagana pa rin ang kanilang mga network. Naglipana pa rin ang mga scammers. Marami pa ring mga Pilipinong biktima ng human trafficking papunta sa mga compound sa ibang bansa,” she added.

The senator stressed that the implementation of the SOP should target the entire structure supporting such operations and not just surface-level activities.

“The SOP must go after that entire architecture, and the whole of government must not stop until the entire structure comes down. Habulin ang mga operator, protector, recruiter, financier, at lahat ng nagpahintulot sa sistemang ito,” she said.

She reiterated that there should be no place for POGOs in the country.

“Walang puwang ang POGO sa ating bansa,” Hontiveros said.