'This is for you': Senate ends POGO probe with tribute to its victims | ABS-CBN
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'This is for you': Senate ends POGO probe with tribute to its victims
'This is for you': Senate ends POGO probe with tribute to its victims
Senator Risa Hontiveros hugs Lai Yu Cian (Ivy), a Taiwanese offshore gaming worker who has been a victim of human trafficking and unfair labor practices, during a press conference at the Senate in February 2020. Hontiveros urged the government to take action against illegal and abusive POGOs. Senate PRIB/File
Senator Risa Hontiveros hugs Lai Yu Cian (Ivy), a Taiwanese offshore gaming worker who has been a victim of human trafficking and unfair labor practices, during a press conference at the Senate in February 2020. Hontiveros urged the government to take action against illegal and abusive POGOs. Senate PRIB/FileMANILA — The Senate officially wrapped up Tuesday its probe into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), with Sen. Risa Hontiveros offering the success of the investigation to the victims of the crime-infested industry that thrived for years before it was recently outlawed.
MANILA — The Senate officially wrapped up Tuesday its probe into Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), with Sen. Risa Hontiveros offering the success of the investigation to the victims of the crime-infested industry that thrived for years before it was recently outlawed.
"Kina Alex Chong, Dale Ignacio, alias Ivy, alias Karina, alias Rita, this is for you. Sa mga biktima ng mga POGO sa loob ata labas ng bansa, this is for you," Hontiveros said in her closing remarks.
"Kina Alex Chong, Dale Ignacio, alias Ivy, alias Karina, alias Rita, this is for you. Sa mga biktima ng mga POGO sa loob ata labas ng bansa, this is for you," Hontiveros said in her closing remarks.
Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women and Children, was one of the first senators who flagged the alleged problematic offshore gambling industry back when it was still popular due to its rosy promise of employment and investment.
Hontiveros, chair of the Senate Committee on Women and Children, was one of the first senators who flagged the alleged problematic offshore gambling industry back when it was still popular due to its rosy promise of employment and investment.
The investigation, however, only took off earlier this year after the discovery of an illegal POGO hub in the sleepy town of Bamban in Tarlac, supposedly backed by its then mayor Alice Guo, who turned out to be Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.
The investigation, however, only took off earlier this year after the discovery of an illegal POGO hub in the sleepy town of Bamban in Tarlac, supposedly backed by its then mayor Alice Guo, who turned out to be Chinese national Guo Hua Ping.
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"Guo Hua Ping, sisiguraduhin ko na hindi ka na makakaulit dito at matututo ang lahat sa gagawin sa'yo," she warned.
"Guo Hua Ping, sisiguraduhin ko na hindi ka na makakaulit dito at matututo ang lahat sa gagawin sa'yo," she warned.
Aside from the ouster of Guo as mayor, the Senate probe was instrumental in unraveling several crimes supposedly linked to POGOs, including scam hubs, human trafficking, torture, money laundering, and, allegedly, Chinese espionage and propaganda.
Aside from the ouster of Guo as mayor, the Senate probe was instrumental in unraveling several crimes supposedly linked to POGOs, including scam hubs, human trafficking, torture, money laundering, and, allegedly, Chinese espionage and propaganda.
It also exposed a loophole in the country's late birth registration system that was used by foreign nationals to obtain a fake Filipino identity.
It also exposed a loophole in the country's late birth registration system that was used by foreign nationals to obtain a fake Filipino identity.
According to Hontiveros, the end of the Senate probe only signals the beginning of a massive legislative reform that they must undertake.
According to Hontiveros, the end of the Senate probe only signals the beginning of a massive legislative reform that they must undertake.
"This may be the end of our hearings on POGO, but this is only the beginning of the legislative reform that we will strive to push to ensure to every Filipino that there will never be another Alice Guo," she said.
"This may be the end of our hearings on POGO, but this is only the beginning of the legislative reform that we will strive to push to ensure to every Filipino that there will never be another Alice Guo," she said.
"Sa mga kababayan nating Pilipino na hirap na hirap makakuha ng ID, birth certificate, at iba pa, pero araw-araw namumuhay nang may dangal at lumalaban nang patas, this is for you... With many thanks to all our resource persons, this hearing is adjourned," Hontiveros concluded.
"Sa mga kababayan nating Pilipino na hirap na hirap makakuha ng ID, birth certificate, at iba pa, pero araw-araw namumuhay nang may dangal at lumalaban nang patas, this is for you... With many thanks to all our resource persons, this hearing is adjourned," Hontiveros concluded.
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