In cebu city: Task force vs POGO eyed

CEBU, Philippines —  A task force to crack down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) and POGO-like activities will soon be organized in Cebu City following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to immediately stop such operations in the country during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 22, 2024.

In his marching orders to the new city director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), Police Colonel Antonietto Cañete, acting Cebu City Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia said the task force should be composed of the members of the local police and the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).

Based on information from Garcia and data provided by the Cebu City Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), which registers at least 40,000 establishments in Cebu City, there are currently no active or legal POGO operators within the city

However, Garcia emphasized that they will continue monitoring the situation. They are not ruling out the possibility of illegal operations in Cebu City, where some entities may be masquerading as licensed BPOs.

“I am actually meeting with Colonel Cañete very soon aside from overdue na akong command conference niya, I want to talk to him about forming a task force composed of the BPLO and the PNP just to check out on businesses that are registered Business Process Outsourcing (BPO),” said Garcia.

Garcia said they would also invite the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to join the Task Force, which is set to happen within the week along with other agencies.

He added that its primary task is to conduct a “random check” of these BPOs to also make sure that their permits and licenses are aligned to their operations.

Previously, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, in a national report, said that they received reports on having POGO-like activities in Central Visayas, particularly in Cebu.

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. has also said that he is set to meet with the local chief executives to check on matters relative to POGO-like activities.

But Garcia said he wanst that even before Abalos’ visit, the city can already present reports hence the Task Force.

“Mao man gud na ilang giingon gud nga there are illegal or POGO-like businesses operating in Cebu, not only in Cebu City but also in the other areas but there are disguised as call centers of BPOs, mao ng we will be looking to that, mao ng naay Task Force,” said Garcia.

Garcia also said that his recommendation for CCPO director Cañete to permanently replace outgoing

CCPO director Police Colonel Ireneo Dalogdog will also depend on Cañete's capabilities to implement new directives, including the crackdown on POGO activities in the city.

Cañete is currently assuming the position as officer-in-charge, replacing Dalogdog, who Garcia said has done a "job well done" for the city.

According to Garcia, he understands that Dalogdog would have to be relieved from his current post in order to move up to higher rank.

“Daghan kaayo syag mga nabuhat nga mga maayo, ug daghan kaayo syag mga nasugdan nga atong ipadayon.. di nako siya pugngan sa iyang path towards being a general,” said Garcia.

Mandaue City

Meanwhile, Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes also appealed to Mandauehanons, as well as to barangay officials, to be vigilant against POGO operations in the city.

“Naa tay mga impormasyon nga nadawat after atong sa Pampanga nagka buwag buwag na na sila, nangadto og nagka lain laing siyudad. So, kita magbinantayon ta,” Cortes said.

“Mangayo ko sa inyong tabang, hangyo nako sa kapulisan, manghangyo usab ako sa nagka laing laing barangay to please kindly monitor kay so far sa business permit wa man tay records ngari. Pero kaning nga clandestine, mga underground, mga kalihukan nga iligal di man gyud ni nato mabantayan. So we must be vigilant sa atong kabarangayan,” added Cortes in a press conference.

According to Cortes, they are looking at all possible areas where these POGO operators might work from.

“Kinahanglan ni nato bantayan kay naay mga balay, condominiums, naay mga commercial spaces nga kadudahan ba kay naay puro laki nganha moanha og usa ka lugar naay mga high-end nga mga sakyanan mag abot nganha, kana i-report dayon na, dili na ta maghuwat kay grabe na ang epekto aning POGO,” the mayor added.

Lawyer August Lizer Malate, head of Mandaue City’s Business Permit Section, said that there are no POGO operations in the city, but still urged everyone, especially at the barangay level, to be vigilant and report immediately to proper authorities any suspected illegal activities in their area. (CEBU NEWS)