I Will Shoot or Punch You Says Philippine President to POGOs

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has said that he will “punch” or even “shoot” Offshore Gambling Operators known as POGOs who fail to pay their taxes within the next three days.

In a fiery press statement on Friday from the President he said: “I’m giving you three days to pay your debts, if not, you Pogos, I will shoot you with air guns. Because from where I come from, pugo (quail) is a small bird that does not fly and only runs about.”

He went on to say, “Seriously now, I am telling you: do not dupe Filipinos, because Filipinos are not fools. If you make a fool out of me, I will punch you. I will have you called here and punch you, as like the others. I’ve punched many people here, maybe you want to be next.”

The threat and war of words comes after the Bureau of Internal Revenue recently raided operators claiming they had failed to register or pay their business taxes correctly.

However POGOs are a powerhouse in the Philippines and particularly in Manila where it is reported that Offshore Gambling Operators lease some 10% of all leasable office space and employ the Philippine government say over 100,000 foreign workers who are made up of mostly Chinese nationals.