Manila: Senators on Wednesday linked the recent kidnapping of a foreign student from an international school to the continued presence of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), warning that the industry remains a major driver of criminal activity in the country. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a staunch advocate for banning POGOs, condemned the incident and stressed that authorities must relentlessly pursue the perpetrators.

According to Philippines News Agency, Senator Gatchalian reiterated his call for the critical and urgent need to wipe out POGOs. “We cannot and must not allow their criminal operations to continue spreading fear, lawlessness, and danger in our communities,” he added. The lawmaker also lauded law enforcement authorities for the rescue of the student but stressed that ‘pursuit of justice should not end here.’ He emphasized that authorities should relentlessly pursue the perpetrators until they are held accountable for the criminal activity, also calling for strengthened security in schools.

During the regular Kapihan sa Senado forum, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros pointed out that kidnappings, particularly those involving foreign nationals and now Filipinos, have surged alongside the rise of POGOs. She expressed concern that even Filipino students are now being kidnapped, not just foreigners who, in some way, have connections to POGO operations. Authorities have linked rising incidents of kidnappings of Chinese nationals in the country to unresolved debts and disputes within the POGO industry.

Hontiveros warned that criminal groups linked to POGOs continue to evolve despite government efforts to dismantle them. “Of course, mahirap maging completely POGO-free agad kasi at least nine years na sila o eight years sila nandito mula ng panahon ni Duterte. Pero mahirap man we can and we should put an end to them (It is hard to become completely POGO-free immediately because they have been here for at least nine years or eight years since former president Rodrigo Duterte’s time. But even if it’s difficult we can and we should put an end to them),’ she said. She also indicated that many POGO bosses likely remain in the country, overseeing illegal operations that have gone underground.

Moreover, Hontiveros warned of new schemes being used by POGO groups to recruit victims, including fake travel advertisements that lure individuals into human trafficking and scam operations.