Regional and National Security Threats of Scam Centres and Offshore Online Gambling Operations

Today, the Stratbase Institute, in partnership with the United States Institute of Peace, hosted the forum entitled “Regional and National Security Threats of Scam Centres and Offshore Online Gambling Operations” at Makati Shangri-La.

The conference sought to foster insightful and productive discussions among policymakers, law enforcement officials, academics, members of the diplomatic community, and representatives from civil society organizations to effectively address the POGO dilemma in the Philippines, as well as the broader regional crisis related to online scamming.

In his speech, Stratbase Institute President Victor Andres “Dindo” Manhit stated that POGOs reveal very deep and alarming issues that must be addressed right now before they can do more harm. He emphasized the need to take bold action to build a Philippines that is free from the scourge of POGOs.

The Stratbase Institute extends our sincerest gratitude to our esteemed speakers for gracing the event, Hon. Anna Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros (Senator, Senate of the Philippines), Hon. Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian (Senator, Senate of the Philippines), Hon. Alejandro Tengco (CEO and Chairman, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation or PAGCOR), Hon. Juanito Victor C. Remulla (Secretary, Department of the Interior and Local Government) as represented by Hon. Rolando C. Puno (Assistant Secretary for Communication and External Affairs, Department of the Interior and Local Government), Dr. Jennifer Staats (Director, East Asia and Pacific Programs United States Institute of Peace (USIP), Mr. Luke Bruns (Deputy Director, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, US Embassy in the Philippines), and Mr. Brian Harding (Senior Expert, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, United States Institute of Peace).

We thank Mr. Jason Tower, Myanmar Country Director of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) for presenting significant information from the USIP Final Study Group, highlighting the proliferation of similar transnational crimes in the region.

Likewise, we extend our appreciation to our panelists who willingly shared their insights that contributed to the discussion: Hon. Nicholas Felix Ty (Undersecretary, Department of Justice), Hon. Karlo Fermin Adriano, (Assistant Secretary, Fiscal Policy and Monitoring Group, Department of Finance), Hon. Francisco “Ace” Ashley Acedillo (Deputy Director General for Cyber and Emerging Threats, National Intelligence Coordinating Agency), Hon. Jose Dominic F. Clavano IV (Assistant Secretary, Department of Justice), Col. Jo-ar Herrera MNSA PA (Chief, Public Affairs Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, J7, Armed Forces of the Philippines), Dr. Sherwin Ona (Non-Resident Fellow, Stratbase ADR Institute; Associate Professor, Department of Political Science and Developmental Studies, De La Salle University), Dr. Alvin Camba (Research Advisor, Associated Universities Incorporated), Atty. Erin West (Founder, Operation Shamrock), Mr. Rafendi Djamin (Governing Board Member, Human Rights Resource Center for ASEAN), and Ms. Kristina Amerhauser (Senior Analyst Global Initiative on Transnational Crime).

Finally, we congratulate Mr. Andrew Masigan (Political and Economic Columnist, The Philippine Star and BusinessWorld) and Dean Jemy Gatdula (Non-Resident Fellow, Stratbase ADR Institute; Dean, University of Asia and the Pacific-Institute of Law) for successfully moderating the event.

The Institute remains keen in bringing together stakeholders across various sectors in discussing national and regional security concerns, particularly those that stem from illicit operations such as POGOs.