Kick the POGOS out

APerson’s reputation determines his social standing in his community. And a good reputation does not happen overnight. It is developed over time, requiring consistency of efforts and actions, and avoiding things that can ruin a favorable character in the eyes of the public.

The same holds true in the community of nations. In a 2010 study, Minjeong Kang and Sung-un Yang defined a country’s reputation as the perceptions of a nation that are shared by both national and international audiences, based on their own personal experiences with the country, and based on collected data from that nation.

“Nation brand is an important concept in today’s world. Globalization means that countries compete with each other for the attention, respect and trust of investors, tourists, consumers, donors, immigrants, the media, and the governments of other nations: so a powerful and positive nation brand provides a crucial competitive advantage,” the duo said.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno understands that a solid country reputation has an unquestionable economic value, just as it does to businesses and individuals. That’s why he warned that the country faces “reputational risks” if it continues to allow Philippines Offshore Gaming Operators to operate. In a Senate Finance Committee hearing on Thursday, Diokno added that the impact on the country’s revenues would not be significant since POGO revenues have reached only P3.9 billion in 2021, a little over half the P7.2 billion it generated at its peak (Read, “Diokno: Keeping POGOS gives PHL ‘reputational risks,’” in the Businessmirror, September 16, 2022).

“If you ask my personal opinion on this, let’s discontinue with the POGOS because of the social cost,” Diokno replied when Senator Imee Marcos asked the economic team what it plans to recommend regarding the expansion or continuation of POGOS in the country.

Philippine news headlines: “PNP rescues 43 Chinese nationals from kidnapping, human trafficking.” “3 Chinese, 2 Pinoys nabbed for kidnapping.” “8 Chinese nabbed for kidnap, gunrunning.” “CCTV captures kidnap try on Chinese man in Parañaque.” “Philippine police say they killed 4 Chinese kidnap suspects.”

The Philippine National Police on Friday called for a reassessment of the existing rules on the entry of foreign workers in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators. PNP Chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. made the appeal amid the series of kidnapping incidents involving POGO workers.

“It is high time that we reassess, we reevaluate our policies on POGO employees entering the country. This is why we require that they should be given a national police clearance so we have a means to check who these Chinese nationals are and at the same time, we ensure that those entering the country are not criminals,” Azurin said in a radio interview.

Azurin said the PNP is doing its best to ensure the safety and security of everyone—including foreign nationals who are working in the country. “But first, there should be respect for our law. Some of the worst cases that were reported involved people being kidnapped and then murdered; while some are reportedly engaged in human trafficking and slavery. Right now, they are (POGOS) fighting each other,” Azurin said. “Are we going to wait before they start harming our fellow Filipinos? We don’t want that to happen.”

House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairman and Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin recently called on Congress to immediately work for the banning of POGOS in the country. She said kidnapping incidents involving POGOS have immensely affected the image of the Philippines and might be driving away investors. “Now that we are opening up our economy and kidnapping and human trafficking headlining our daily news, it is driving away investors considering that it’s creating a misinformation that the Philippines is not safe,” Garin said. (Read, “Garin backs DOF chief’s stand on POGO operations; two suspected kidnappers nabbed in Clark,” in the Businessmirror, September 16, 2022).

The POGO firms created the pastillas corruption scandal, and their workers have been involved in kidnapping, human trafficking, gunrunning and murder. The Finance chief has said the few billion pesos generated from POGOS are not worth the “reputational risks” the Philippines faces if the government continues to allow POGOS to operate. We want to have more foreign visitors and more foreign investors. Let’s not allow the POGOS to destroy the global image of the Philippines.