MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has vowed to ramp up operations against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators starting January following President Marcos’ directive to shut down all remaining POGOs.

PAOCC chief Gilbert Cruz said although only 20 registered POGO hubs await full closure, over 150 smaller operations remain under monitoring.

“These are from the large POGO hubs that transitioned into smaller-scale operations, often hiding in resorts, condominiums, gated houses and subdivisions,” Cruz explained in an interview with PTV yesterday.

Cruz emphasized a whole-of-government strategy involving agencies such as the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

“This is not just about addressing POGO operators and workers. We are also looking into how we can support displaced Filipinos who may lose their jobs due to the crackdown,” Cruz said.

He added that the government is also continuing its deportation of foreign nationals involved in POGO operations.

“As of today, we still have 400 individuals in our halfway house. This month alone, we have deported around 250 foreign nationals, with more to follow,” Cruz said.

Cruz also revealed that PAOCC is assisting about 24 children of POGO workers or “POGO babies” by providing essential supplies and coordinating with the DSWD for long-term support.

Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief of the Duterte administration, was among those named in the ICC’s investigation. 

“We are ensuring their needs are met, from milk to hospitalization, while exploring livelihood opportunities for their families,” he said.

Cruz urged the public to report any information on illegal POGOs, particularly those engaging in “guerrilla operations.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has given assurance that the government will go after “100 percent” of POGOs, especially employees that have gone rogue following the total ban.

Remulla noted that the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. has cancelled all POGO licenses by Dec. 15.

“The composite team of agencies under OP (Office of the President) has been formed. By Dec. 17 we will go to these POGO hubs starting in Island Cove in Kawit. We will make sure that all of them will be closed,” Remulla said.

Meanwhile, authorities expressed the possibility of politicians being involved in the busted POGO hub in Panabo City, Davao del Norte which was raided by the National Bureau of Investigation last week.

At least 60 people were arrested during the raid that was initially carried out as a rescue mission for a Malaysian allegedly kidnapped by Chinese nationals.

However, authorities instead discovered the illicit POGO hub, which has been in operation for three months.

It was the first-ever POGO hub that was busted in Southern Mindanao.

In additionlegend bet, the alleged kidnapped Malaysian is believed to be the POGO hub operations manager who escaped with several other suspects during the raid. — Romina Cabrera, Edith Regalado

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