MANILA – Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said there is nothing to worry about the proximity of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to military bases.
Panelo on Saturday said its proximity can be a legitimate concern but Filipinos might have been “too security conscious.”
Department of National Defense (DND) secretary Delfin Lorenzana earlier warned the electronic and closed-door operations of POGOs could be used for surveillance activities.
“It is a legitimate concern… Pwede din na delikado dahil nandu’n sila sa malapit (pero) ang problema ata ay masyado tayong security conscious,” Panelo said.
He added Chinese ambassador Zhao Jianhua indirectly said it was “unfair” Filipinos were thinking that the Chinese working in the country were spies.
“Nag-text si ambassador Zhao sa’kin. Sabi niya: ‘Kung kami mag-isip sa overseas workers niyo? Isipin namin na nagspa-spy sa amin?” Panelo said. “Siguro ang point niya is ‘wag na tayo mag-isip muna sa mga ganiyan. Kumbaga nagdududahan tayo.”
Some POGO centers in Manila are located at the Araneta Center in Cubao and Eastwood, which are both near Camp Aguinaldo, while Resorts World in Pasay is close to Villamor Airbase.
Another POGO center is located at Island Cove in Cavite across the Naval Base of Sangley Point./PN
