Congressman calls for faster shutdown of remaining POGOs

Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez has called on Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos to expedite the closure of remaining illegal Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs). This appeal follows a revelation from Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz that approximately 200 illegal POGOs are still active despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive.

Rodriguez’s call is a response to the President’s mandate, delivered during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, 2024, which ordered the immediate shutdown of illegal POGOs and set a deadline for legal ones to cease operations by the end of the year.

“The report of Executive Director Cruz shows that hundreds of underground POGO operators are flouting President BBM’s directive. Secretary Abalos and [Department of Justice] Secretary [Crispin] Remulla should see to it that this is now strictly enforced,” Rodriguez was quoted as saying in a press release furnished to News 5.

The lawmaker urged Secretary Abalos to instruct the Philippine National Police (PNP) to act swiftly and to coordinate with the Department of Justice for additional support from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). “Secretary Abalos should instruct the PNP to enforce the President’s directive and padlock these POGOs. [DOJ] Secretary Crispin Remulla should direct the National Bureau of Investigation to help in the effort,” Rodriguez emphasized.

Rodriguez also proposed that the PNP and NBI work closely with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and telecommunications companies to track illegal POGO activities. “Coordination with the DICT and telcos is important because POGOs, whether legal or illegal, are using the internet and mobile phones, which can give clues to the locations of POGO activities,” Rodriguez explained. “It should not be difficult for technology-equipped agencies like the PNP, NBI, and DICT to detect illegal POGO operations,” he added.

The PAOCC has already made significant strides, shutting down major POGO hubs in Tarlac and Pampanga. However, some illicit operators have reportedly scaled down their operations, moving from entire buildings to just one floor, which complicates detection efforts. Rodriguez stressed the need for increased vigilance and efficient use of technology to combat these illegal activities.

PAOCC’s Cruz noted that illegal POGOs have become harder to locate as they downsize their operations. Rodriguez urged Cruz to share information with law enforcement agencies to accelerate the crackdown. “We cannot wait for President BBM to become frustrated over the defiance of his directive by illegal POGOs,” Rodriguez concluded.

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