PAOCC set to unplug small-scale POGOs

Targets in list to be raided early 2025

MANILA, Philippines — There are people behind Philippine offshore gaming operator hubs who continue to defy President Marcos’ ban on POGOs which is set to take effect next year and are instead converting to small-scale operations.

In response to this, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), in coordination with law enforcement agencies, is preparing for intensified operations against POGOs that will continue to operate beyond the Dec. 31 deadline set by the government to stop their activities.

PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said yesterday they are receiving reports that people who were involved in large-scale POGO hubs are still determined to keep their businesses running despite the government’s ban.

“We’ve received numerous reports that these former big-time POGOs are scouring for safe places now so they can operate on a smaller scale,” he said over radio dzBB.

He further stated they already have a list of some small-scale POGOs that are going to be the targets of raids.

“We have a lineup of POGO raids early next year,” he added.

From a high of around 300 POGOs licensed by the government, Cruz said the figure is down to less than 20, which are expected to close their operations before the government’s deadline.

Another challenge they are facing is monitoring around 8,000 of 20,000 foreigners who used to work in POGO hubs who have not left the country even if their work visas were downgraded to tourist visas. Cruz said it is possible these foreign nationals are among the people putting up the clandestine POGOs.

He further explained that small-scale POGOs are using condominium buildings, gated subdivisions, beach resorts and even small hotels for their operations, with these POGO hubs hiding in plain sight. This means their bases of operations are usually in urban areas with many foreigners such as Metro Manila to avoid arousing suspicion.

“POGOs can be easily revealed in remote areas that have no foreigners,” Cruz said.

He reminded mayors to be on the lookout for small-scale POGOs in their areas of responsibility, warning them that the government will not hesitate to run after erring local chief executives.

“We’ll check if our local government executives will really follow our directive (of running against POGOs),” he said.