MANILA, March 24 -- A fellow senator suggested on Friday to give legal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) more time to stop operating in the country after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called for the immediate closure of all POGOs following numerous reports of POGO-related crimes.

Senator Sonny Angara said he respects the findings of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means, which Gatchalian chairs, but pointed out that giving POGOs, especially the legitimate ones, three months to stop their operations is not enough.

"We respect the work and findings of the committees who have diligently done their work investigating this matter and there is evidence that their presence has had some negative effects, especially in the peace and or...