Philippine authorities investigating POGOs and foreign work permits
The ongoing scandal surrounding the Philippine Online Gaming Operators (POGO) sector continues to create more work for government authorities at all levels. Comprehensive verification is now required of all foreigners who obtain work permits or other authorizations to work in the country.
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) announced last week that it is currently conducting a comprehensive review of the Alien Employment Permit (AEP). The review covers more than 42,000 foreigners employed by POGOs, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Labor Undersecretary Benjo Benavidez told a news conference that the Labor Department is prepared to take action against any foreign workers who may be involved in illegal activities. This includes cancellation or revocation of the AEP and, in some cases, may result in jail time.
POGOs tax government resources
The development comes after a Senate directive last week requiring government agencies to conduct a thorough review of AEPs received by foreigners working at POGOs. The call for a review follows recent raids on POGO facilities in Paranaque City and Pasay City.
The AEP is similar to the U.S. work visa and is an important authorization issued to non-residents or foreigners seeking employment in the Philippines. Foreign workers must apply for and obtain an AEP before they can legally work in the country.
The raids uncovered missing operating licenses and allegations of involvement in illegal activities such as sex trafficking and centers operating online scams. There are also indications that some workers may have obtained AEP or other licenses illegally. The revelation could eventually lead to criminal charges against the government officials who approved the license.
In many cases, the illegal issuance of AEPs paved the way for some to obtain Philippine passports for as little as 500,000 pesos ($9,020). Therefore, an unknown number of current passport holders may be foreigners with ties to criminal activity who have never been properly vetted.
For some lawmakers, this has become a serious threat to the Philippines’ national security.
POGO-related crime continues to flourish
The Philippines is trying to crack down on illegal and scandal-plagued gambling operators in a bid to improve its image. Despite the efforts of the past two years, major problems have arisen.
About a week ago, police reported an incident involving international workers in Pampanga province that left two people dead and another with a serious gunshot wound. The deceased were from China and Malaysia, and the injured man was also from China. He was shot five times but survived.
Authorities linked the attack to a kidnapping attempt that may have been linked to an online gambling operation. Two other people were reportedly traveling with the three victims, but their whereabouts are unknown.
Over the weekend, police arrested five people believed to be working for illegal online gambling companies. Four adults and one minor were on board, according to the State Bureau of Investigation. The minor was armed with a gun, and he later said the adults forced him to do so to avoid harsher punishment.
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Source: www.casino.org
