Philippine Government Targets Small-Scale POGO Operations as Ban Deadline Looms

As the December 31st deadline approaches for the Philippine government’s ban on Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), small-scale operators are reportedly scrambling to maintain their activities by operating in more covert ways. Defying President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to shut down all POGO operations by the end of 2023, these clandestine setups have been found hiding in plain sight within condominium buildings, gated subdivisions, beach resorts, and small hotels.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), working in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, has announced its plans to conduct a series of raids early next year to dismantle these illegal POGO hubs.

Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, the Executive Director of the PAOCC, disclosed that the agency is actively tracking reports of large-scale POGO operators transitioning to smaller, more discreet setups. “We’ve received numerous reports that these former big-time POGOs are scouting for safe places to operate on a smaller scale,” Cruz said during a December 28th interview with radio dzBB.

Cruz confirmed that a list of these small-scale operations has already been compiled and that raids are planned for early 2025. “We have a lineup of POGO raids early next year,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s determination to enforce the ban on the controversial industry.

At its height, the Philippines hosted approximately 300 licensed POGOs. This number has dwindled to fewer than 20, all of which are expected to shut down by the end-of-year deadline. However, a significant challenge persists: an estimated 8,000 foreign nationals who formerly worked in POGO hubs remain in the country, despite their work visas being downgraded to tourist status. Authorities suspect that some of these individuals are involved in the operation of the small-scale POGO setups.

These new, smaller operations are reportedly concentrated in urban areas, such as Metro Manila, where the presence of foreigners is common, allowing them to blend in without raising suspicion. Cruz highlighted the difficulty of exposing these operations in urban centers compared to remote areas. “POGOs are easier to expose in remote areas with no foreigners,” he noted.

In his efforts to root out these illegal setups, Cruz urged local government officials, especially mayors, to assist in identifying and shutting down these hidden POGO hubs. He also warned that the national government would take action against local officials who fail to comply with the directive. “We’ll check if our local government executives will truly follow through on our directive to crack down on POGOs,” he said.

The government’s intensified campaign against POGOs reflects its commitment to addressing the social and economic problems associated with the industry, including criminal activity and tax evasion. However, as small-scale operators adapt to evade detection, enforcing the ban presents an ongoing challenge for authorities.

By fLEXI tEAM