DND clarifies Teodoro’s remarks on POGOs | ABS-CBN
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DND clarifies Teodoro’s remarks on POGOs
DND clarifies Teodoro’s remarks on POGOs
Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City. File
Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City. File MANILA – The Department of National Defense clarified the remarks of its chief, Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) sites.
MANILA – The Department of National Defense clarified the remarks of its chief, Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) sites.
Teodoro was quoted in a DND statement released on Wednesday as saying: “The concern is that we should stop these syndicated criminal activities operating out of our base, which weaken our financial standing, our country ratings, and corrupt our society.”
Teodoro was quoted in a DND statement released on Wednesday as saying: “The concern is that we should stop these syndicated criminal activities operating out of our base, which weaken our financial standing, our country ratings, and corrupt our society.”
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro was referring to the country as a whole and not pertaining to military bases, as reported by some news outlets.
DND spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said Teodoro was referring to the country as a whole and not pertaining to military bases, as reported by some news outlets.
“The ‘base’ that he was referring to is our financial, economic base, and basically, our country. He was not referring to a military camp or as seen in some stories na lumabas, EDCA sites, which is very far from what he meant,” Andolong told reporters in a phone interview late Thursday.
“The ‘base’ that he was referring to is our financial, economic base, and basically, our country. He was not referring to a military camp or as seen in some stories na lumabas, EDCA sites, which is very far from what he meant,” Andolong told reporters in a phone interview late Thursday.
“He did not say anything as alleged in some news reports that POGO facilities near military camps should be shut down. He was purely referring to the effect on our country ratings, economy and our society, as a whole,” he added.
“He did not say anything as alleged in some news reports that POGO facilities near military camps should be shut down. He was purely referring to the effect on our country ratings, economy and our society, as a whole,” he added.
Andolong added that the defense chief only referred to POGOs as a “national security concern” and did not mean that these are now a “national security threat”, as also reported by some news outlets.
Andolong added that the defense chief only referred to POGOs as a “national security concern” and did not mean that these are now a “national security threat”, as also reported by some news outlets.
“Concern is very different from a threat. A concern merely means that a matter deserves more scrutiny and investigation. When you classify an entity, an actor or a phenomenon as a threat, that means that that particular entity, actor or phenomenon underwent a process of vetting or investigation and fact-finding before it is classified as a threat,” the DND spokesperson explained.
“Concern is very different from a threat. A concern merely means that a matter deserves more scrutiny and investigation. When you classify an entity, an actor or a phenomenon as a threat, that means that that particular entity, actor or phenomenon underwent a process of vetting or investigation and fact-finding before it is classified as a threat,” the DND spokesperson explained.
He continued, “We also have to put on record that there are legitimate POGOs and there are criminal syndicates posing as POGOs.”
He continued, “We also have to put on record that there are legitimate POGOs and there are criminal syndicates posing as POGOs.”
NSC TO MONITOR POGOs
NSC TO MONITOR POGOs
On Thursday, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that the existence of POGO sites in the country does not yet constitute a “national security threat” that would “necessitate the direct involvement of the defense forces.”
On Thursday, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said that the existence of POGO sites in the country does not yet constitute a “national security threat” that would “necessitate the direct involvement of the defense forces.”
Año said it is only a national concern that law enforcement and regulatory agencies could still address.
Año said it is only a national concern that law enforcement and regulatory agencies could still address.
“The National Security Council is watching closely the ongoing Senate investigation into POGO operations in the country. On its own, we are also doing our own assessment of its implications to national security,” Año said in a statement.
“The National Security Council is watching closely the ongoing Senate investigation into POGO operations in the country. On its own, we are also doing our own assessment of its implications to national security,” Año said in a statement.
“Our lawmakers may also need to look into the pros and cons of allowing its continued operations,” he added.
“Our lawmakers may also need to look into the pros and cons of allowing its continued operations,” he added.
The NSA noted that there are legitimate POGOs licensed and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
The NSA noted that there are legitimate POGOs licensed and regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
“Illegal POGOs, on the other hand, and those involved in scams and illegal activities should not be tolerated, and any violation of law and applicable rules and regulations shall be acted upon by the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” Año said.
“Illegal POGOs, on the other hand, and those involved in scams and illegal activities should not be tolerated, and any violation of law and applicable rules and regulations shall be acted upon by the appropriate law enforcement agencies,” Año said.
He went on, “The issues related to illegal POGOs, such as illegal activities and regulatory violations, can be addressed within the framework of existing government regulations and law enforcement mechanisms, and does not warrant the intervention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as in the case of going after declared national security threats, such as the Abu Sayyaf or the CPP-NPA-NDF.”
He went on, “The issues related to illegal POGOs, such as illegal activities and regulatory violations, can be addressed within the framework of existing government regulations and law enforcement mechanisms, and does not warrant the intervention of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as in the case of going after declared national security threats, such as the Abu Sayyaf or the CPP-NPA-NDF.”
Año said the NSC would continue to work closely with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to gather comprehensive data and insights to provide a “balanced and informed perspective.”
Año said the NSC would continue to work closely with relevant government agencies and stakeholders to gather comprehensive data and insights to provide a “balanced and informed perspective.”
“This approach will help ensure that any policy regarding the future of POGOs and other related operations in the Philippines are made with a clear understanding of their implications to national security,” he said.
“This approach will help ensure that any policy regarding the future of POGOs and other related operations in the Philippines are made with a clear understanding of their implications to national security,” he said.
ALLEGED CHINESE MILITARY UNIFORM AT POGO HUB
ALLEGED CHINESE MILITARY UNIFORM AT POGO HUB
Meanwhile, the AFP said it does not want to jump into conclusions upon the discovery of alleged People’s Liberation Army (PLA) uniforms and an “outstanding badge” of a Chinese military sergeant at a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
Meanwhile, the AFP said it does not want to jump into conclusions upon the discovery of alleged People’s Liberation Army (PLA) uniforms and an “outstanding badge” of a Chinese military sergeant at a raided POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga.
This, while it acknowledges the statement of the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) regarding the “authenticity of the PLA uniforms found.”
This, while it acknowledges the statement of the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) regarding the “authenticity of the PLA uniforms found.”
“The AFP emphasizes that we do not speculate on these matters and will refrain from drawing any conclusions until the investigation is thoroughly completed,” military spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a text message on Friday.
“The AFP emphasizes that we do not speculate on these matters and will refrain from drawing any conclusions until the investigation is thoroughly completed,” military spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a text message on Friday.
Padilla said the military is coordinating closely with relevant intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fully investigate the matter.
Padilla said the military is coordinating closely with relevant intelligence and law enforcement agencies to fully investigate the matter.
“The AFP is committed to ensuring the security and sovereignty of our nation and will take all necessary measures to address any potential threats. We assure the public that we are vigilant and proactive in safeguarding our national interests,” she added.
“The AFP is committed to ensuring the security and sovereignty of our nation and will take all necessary measures to address any potential threats. We assure the public that we are vigilant and proactive in safeguarding our national interests,” she added.
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