BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – The City Council will start today its investigation into the alleged proliferation of undocumented immigrants in the city.
The council, convening as a Committee of the Whole, will particularly focus on the reported unregulated activities of Chinese-led Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) including gambling and human trafficking, among others.
City councilors received reports that in some posh subdivisions, most of the occupants are Chinese or foreigners.
The city council summoned concerned agencies to attend today’s hearing, particularly the Bureau of Immigration, and the Department of Labor and Employment.
Under the law, visiting tourists who have visas are supposed to stay in the city for only 30 days.
However, the legislators lamented that immigration is doing nothing to check the activities of these foreigners.
Deputy Majority Floor Leader Councilor Rex Marcus Sarabia said illegal Chinese residents even pose a threat to the country’s sovereign rights.
“The operations of POGO Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) bring a lot of illegal activities such as underground illegal drugs, pornography, human trafficking and money-laundering,” said Sarabia.
He said the undocumented Chinese would invest the proceeds from their illicit activities into real properties such as condominiums and lands.
Mayor Jerry Treñas earlier said he rejected the proposal for POGOs by the Chinese to operate in Iloilo City due to concerns about the potential negative social and economic impacts they could bring to the community.
“Several times there were offers to set up POGOs here, but I refused. I don’t want them in my city,” Treñas said during his press briefing.
The mayor stressed that such industry has been associated with corruption and other crimes such as money laundering, and other illicit activities.
Treñas said several Chinese cities intend to ink a sisterhood pact with the city government.
However, he said the city government is carefully evaluating these proposals amid the controversy surrounding POGO operations in the country and as part of the city’s commitment to maintaining social order and protecting the welfare of its residents.
The mayor added the city government is vigilant in ensuring that any unauthorized POGO activities do not take place within its jurisdiction.
The monitoring effort includes collaboration with law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with local laws and prevent illicit activities associated with POGOs./PN
