MANILA, Philippines- Kinuwestiyon Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian ang National Security Council (NSC), na naniniwalang hindi pa umaabot ang Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) sa lebel ng matinding panganib upang ideklara itong national security threat.
“If we look at national security, we look at some elements like territorial integrity, sovereignty, social cohesiveness, political stability, and at this point in time we do not see that happening [with POGOs],” pahayag ni NSC Assistant Director General Jude Lauengco sa Senate panel nitong Martes.
Ang NSC ang pangunahing advisory body na may tungkuling makipag-ugnayan at magpatupad ng mga plano at polisiya na nakaaapekto sa pambansang seguridad.
Ilang senador na ang humirit sa body na iakyat ang isyu sa POGO kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
Ani Lauengco, sa puntong ito, ang POGOs ay “very serious national concern” lamang.
“We have seen the extent of criminal activities conducted in some POGO facilities… which to us has become a very serious national concern that is now being addressed by appropriate law enforcing agencies,” anang opisyal.
Subalit, iginiit ni Gatchalian na ang mga krimeng nauugnay sa POGOs, tulad ng human trafficking, prostitusyon, at iba pa, ay sapat na upang ituring itong mas seryoso ng NSC.
“For me all the fingerprints of a national security threat is already there… All the red flags… In my opionion, we should not wait for the detonation of a bigger scenario… Ano pang hinihintay natin?” pahayag ni Gatchalian.
Para naman kay Lauengco, ang POGO issue “is handled pretty well,” at inihayag na “we are satisfied by how this is handled by law enforcement and regulatory agencies.”
Noong Hunyo, sinabi ni National Security Adviser Eduardo Año na ang pagkakaroon ng POGO sites sa bansa ay hindi pa maituturing na “national security threat” na mangangailangan ng “direct involvement of the defense forces.” RNT/SA
