The Department of Justice will seek guidance from the Supreme Court in dealing with cases involving illegally operating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), particularly on matters involving the Rules of Court.
“We will also be writing to the Supreme Court for certain issues that will need their guidance and help so that the procedures necessary to carry out our mandate to stamp out illegal POGOs will be done properly,” DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla said in a press briefing.
Remulla stressed that the DOJ is expected to raise matters involving the Rules of Court. He did not elaborate on the details.
“There are many things in the Rules of Court that probably should be considered as important and should be more threshed out to be able to be more effective in a world which is now more porous than ever,” he said.
Earlier, Remulla had expressed his dismay in cases brought to the DOJ by law enforcement agencies on alleged illegal operation of POGOs involving human trafficking.
“We are being held back in the cases because, like in all POGO cases, many don’t want to testify,” he said.
“The transient nature of foreigners working in the country under temporary permits will need special rules so that the testimonies can be perpetuated so that we will be able to enforce the law properly,” the DOJ chief added.
Remulla also reiterated the need for improved coordination among government agencies against illegal POGOs.
“We will thresh out these issues so that we will not be pointing at each other, we will be working as a team for the government,” he said.
“All of the government agencies are being told to toe the line so that we work together to further the drive against illegal POGOs,” he added.
Last June 27, the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) conducted a raid on a POGO facility in Las Pinas City that led to the rescue of around 2,700 persons including Filipinos and foreigners who were alleged human trafficking victims.
Remulla earlier criticized the conduct of the raid for lack of case build-up and coordination with the DOJ.
Because of this, Remulla said the DOJ cannot pursue the cases because of lack of testimonies from both the complainants and the victims.