All-out offensive against illegal POGOs underway

CEBU, Philippines — An all-out offensive against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) is expected next month, says Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil.

Marbil said they will ramp up law enforcement operations starting January after the effectivity of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s directive to shut down all remaining POGOs.

“After January 1, you will see ang power ng gobyerno laban sa mga ganito, we will make sure,” he told reporters in an interview.

Marbil joined Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla and other officials in the inspection and closure of the Island Cove POGO hub in Cavite yesterday.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said earlier there are over 150 small-case POGO hubs which are under surveillance while 20 registered operators await full closure.

Marbil said that Task Force Skimmer, an inter-agency task group formed last July against POGOs, is on track to run after POGO hubs.

“May mga foreigners na binabantayan kami,” he said.

PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said they expect rogue POGO hubs to utilize condominium units, hotels, resorts and even houses in subdivisions as new venues for their operations.

Cruz said they have tapped local government units (LGUs) in the crackdown against POGOs in residential areas, particularly barangay officials.

“We will be utilizing yung barangays natin kasi most likely sila ‘yung nakakakita,” he said. — Philippine Star News Service (FREEMAN)