Robie de Guzman • August 19, 2019 • 867

MANILA, Philippines – Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon on Monday expressed support for the proposal of Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana to transfer the Philippine Online Gaming Operations (POGO) hubs away from military camps and other vital installations.

In a statement, Drilon said he shares the concerns raised by Lorenzana over the growing presence of Chinese-dominated online gaming hubs and the risks that its proximity to military camps pose.

“I support Sec. Lorenzana’s recommendation on POGO location. The security aspect is something that we cannot just brush aside. I cannot understand why we cannot have POGO locations farther away from military camps,” Drilon said in a TV interview on Monday.

Drilon also described the Chinese embassy’s statement that overseas Filipino workers in China may also be suspected of spying as “absurd and beyond the realm of possibility.”

“Sec. Lorenzana is a competent official and his job is to advise us on matter of security. He has nothing but good intentions. We should defer to him,” he added.

Drilon further stated the possibility that POGO workers could be used for information gathering is not a remote possibility.

“We don’t know. Maybe not right now, but it gives them the opportunity when there’s a need for it. It’s convenient when there is a need for it. Why should we leave that chance unchecked?” he said.

The lawmaker also said there is no way Filipino workers in China could be engaged in spying activities for the Philippines as they are there to earn a living.

Drilon also pointed out how Filipinos were deprived of opportunities to earn a living in the POGO industry, which employs thousands of Chinese workers.

When asked if he would support a total ban of POGO, Drilon replied with: “I would like to think there is certainly great merit into looking at the possibility of closing down POGOs. I am against gambling.”

READ: Malacañang: No risk in POGO hubs near military camps

Malacañang earlier said it sees nothing wrong with the location of POGO hubs near military installations and the creation of self-contained communities of foreign workers as long as it doesn’t violate the law.

However, the Palace said it would defer to National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon to assess any security issue being posed by the foreign operated online gaming operations.