Teodoro: Pogo a national security concern

News Snapshot:

DEFENSE Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr. has expressed concern over criminal syndicates posing as Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos). In a statement Wednesday, June 12, 2024, Teodoro said Pogo operations in the country should be stopped. "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. Now, I do not characterize these establishments as Pogos. These are not Pogos. Pogos, traditionally, are business processing outsourcing," he said. "For example, there are legitimate Pogos where the bets and the payoffs are taken from other...