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On POGO-related crimes: Sen. Francis “Chiz” Escudero, during Tuesday’s hybrid hearing of the Ways and Means Committee, October 11, 2022, on the economic costs and benefits of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) under Republic Act No. 11590 vis-a-vis its social costs, says 36 POGO-related criminal cases were recorded from October 1, 2021 to September 24, 2022, or since the law was passed. Escudero cited two cases of trafficking in person; kidnap-for-ransom, 19 cases; kidnapping with serious illegal detention, two cases; and one case of less serious physical injuries. The senator also asked Usec. Bayani Agabin of the Department of Finance whether the latter’s statement that the social costs of POGOs outweighs the economic costs were based on data. Agabin said his statement was based on newspaper reports and anecdotal data. Escudero also reminded Agabin that based on the data provided by the Philippine National Police, the total number of POGO-related crimes number less than 50 per year covering access device violation, anti-trafficking in persons, homicide, illegal detention, kidnap-for-ransom, less serious physical injuries, and serious physical injuries. “I will inform you, for the record, in 2019, a total of 496,620 criminal incidents were recorded; in 2020, 394 468, criminal incidents were reported; in 2021, 375,731... to be fair to the PNP, it's been decreasing,” Escudero said. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)