Multi-agency task force hunts vice sites
We will immediately set up a unit in order to address this in coordination with the other agencies like PAGCOR
Daily TribuneWe will immediately set up a unit in order to address this in coordination with the other agencies like PAGCOR
The Department of Information and Communications Technology was ordered to work with the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to crack down on illegal online gambling sites amid reports that they were operating without a permit.
In a recent hearing of the Commission on Appointments, Camarines Sur LRay Villafuerte, the panel's majority leader, brought the issue to light, saying that his office has received numerous complaints about the proliferation of these online gambling sites that have been operating without a license.
"We just want to ask for your commitment, I hope you will spearhead with PAGCOR and NBI not only to shut down the sites because you can shut down the sites, in 5 minutes, but they can also put these up again. But my point is cases have to be filed because you can actually log in and put money in a wallet and gamble," he told DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy.
Task force slated
Uy, meanwhile, replied and told the lawmaker that his office would work with the NBI and PAGCOR to set up a task force to go after the illegal online gaming operators.
"We will immediately set up a unit in order to address this in coordination with the other agencies like PAGCOR," said Uy during a recent CA committee hearing on his appointment as DICT Secretary.
The Philippines had to come up with a policy and campaign to combat these illegal gambling operations, which were linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators at the time.
However, the PAGCOR refuted this claim and stressed that legitimate POGOs has nothing to do with illegal online gambling.
It could be recalled that former President Rodrigo Duterte, before stepping down from a six-year term in the top job, ordered Metro cops to crack down on illegal gambling operations, including online cockfighting or e-sabong operations.
Villafuerte noted that "If you will look at the e-sabong issue, it erupted after years, issues on POGOs, also erupted after years. Let's not wait for years and tremendous losses to government and fraud and losses to our people if this is not stopped."
