POGO workers abandon houses in Parañaque village

MANILA, Philippines — The directive of President Marcos to ban Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) firms in the country has “partially solved” the peace and order problems of residents of a village in Parañaque City.

Houses used by POGO employees inside the Multinational Village have been abandoned for two months now since Marcos banned POGOs, according to Julio Templonuevo, president of the Multinational Village Homeowners’ Association Inc. (MVHAI).

Around 12,000 foreigners, mostly Chinese and Vietnamese nationals allegedly employed in POGO facilities, were registered as residents of Multinational Village and nearby areas, Templonuevo said during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum yesterday.

Asked if the POGO ban helped address the problems in peace and order of Multinational Village residents, Templonuevo said it was “partially solved.”

Residents had been complaining about the presence of foreigners who worked for POGO companies, as they have left garbage along the streets, caused power transformer breakdowns and erratic internet connection.

The residents were also disturbed by their noise as well as “unusual” activities late at night as shown by fully lighted houses and the frequency of vehicles driving in and out of the village.

From 90 houses, there are currently about 40 houses registered under corporate entities that are suspected to be involved in illegal POGO activities, Templonuevo said.

He urged his fellow homeowners to remain vigilant and report POGO-related activities to the MVHAI management and to police.