Philippine senator renews call for swift passage of anti-offshore gaming bill
Risa Hontiveros stressed the need for a regional approach to crack down on scam operations.
The Philippines.- Senator Risa Hontiveros has issued a new call for the quick passing of an anti-offshore gaming bill. A consolidation of five similar bills, the proposal aims to institutionalise the ban on offshore gaming operations ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. last November.
Hontiveros emphasised the need for a regional approach to crack down on transnational scam operations linked to illegal activities. In an interview with the Philippine News Agency, Hontiveros said that as the Philippines closes offshore gaming operator hubs, many were relocating to nearby countries like Cambodia and Myanmar, where scams are already happening.
She said: “[Offshore gaming operators] are part of a transnational web of criminality. ASEAN must take the lead in building a code of conduct to dismantle scam hubs, rescue trafficking victims, and hold criminals accountable.”
Hontiveros urged ASEAN to work with Western countries, like the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and Australia, where people have fallen victim to scams. She also supported strengthening the Bali Process, which helps coordinate policies to address irregular migration.
Porac mayor dismissed over alleged gaming links
Jaime Capil has been dismissed as mayor of Porac, Pampanga, for not stopping the operations of Lucky South 99, an illegal offshore gaming operator. In a resolution dated April 3, the Office of the Ombudsman found Capil guilty of gross neglect of duty and dismissed him from service, cancelling his government service eligibility and retirement benefits and imposing perpetual disqualification from reemployment in the government.
In a statement issued shortly after the resolution, Capil said he plans to appeal the decision and continue his campaign for re-election on May 12. The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the administrative charges against 10 others, including vice mayor Francis Laurence Tamayo and several councillors, due to lack of evidence.
Lucky South 99 was raided last June by agents from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC). During the operation, 207 workers, including from China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar, were arrested.
