402 Illegal POGOs in the PH Must Be Shut Down, Says House Joint Panel

A joint committee in the House of Representatives has called for an immediate crackdown on the 402 illegal POGOs operating across the country in an effort to curb criminal activities linked to Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs).

The Committees on Public Order and Safety and on Games and Amusements launched their motu proprio inquiry on July 17, aiming to dismantle the syndicated crime networks associated with these illegal gaming operations.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez initiated the joint panel probe, reflecting the high-level concern over the escalating issue. Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez, who chairs the public order and safety panel, emphasized the crucial need for inter-agency cooperation to effectively address the problem. Fernandez underscored the pivotal role of local government units (LGUs) in this effort, highlighting the responsibilities of mayors and heads of Business Permits and Licensing Offices (BPLO) in cities and municipalities hosting POGO hubs.

“We will invite the mayors and BPLO heads to help us shut down the 402 illegal POGO operations. If the national government and the Philippine National Police (PNP) tackle this alone, it will be a daunting task. Hence, we need inter-agency action, and that’s why we are involving the mayors,” Fernandez was quoted as saying in an article published by the Manila Bulletin.

Leyte’s 4th District Representative Richard Gomez, who has firsthand experience as a former mayor, expressed strong support for the call to eliminate illegal POGOs within local government jurisdictions. Gomez emphasized the crucial role that Local Government Units (LGUs) must play in this initiative, stating, “It is essential for the Business Permits and Licensing Office to take decisive action to close down these illicit operations. This responsibility lies with the LGUs, and there must be a thorough investigation into these activities.”

During the hearing, it came to light that while the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has authorized 78 legal POGO operations, a staggering number of illegal entities—totaling 402—are still in operation. Intelligence gathered by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has pinpointed these unlicensed POGOs, which include operations that have already been shut down and various scam farms.

Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, who leads the PAOCC, reported recent successful raids on POGO establishments in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga. These operations unveiled a disturbing array of illegal activities that went beyond mere gaming, exposing serious issues such as human trafficking and other criminal undertakings.