PAOCC intensifies crackdown on illegal POGOs in Metro Manila, investigating Pasay City officials for potential corruption.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is currently considering legal action against local officials in Pasay City due to the ongoing operations of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) within their jurisdiction. The agency is focusing on determining the accountability of local government units (LGUs) involved in permitting and overseeing these establishments.
According to a report from the Philippine News Agency, PAOCC Spokesperson Winston Casio stated in a press briefing at Malacañang that illegal POGOs are predominantly operating in the southern areas of Metro Manila. He identified Pasay, Parañaque, and Makati as the primary locations where these illicit gaming hubs continue to function despite government crackdowns.
Casio emphasized that PAOCC is actively building a case against certain LGUs within Metro Manila following a series of raids on illegal POGOs. Specifically, the commission is scrutinizing the potential liabilities of officials in Pasay City, given the multiple enforcement operations conducted in the area.
“The very first raid we conducted was at Rivendell in P. Zamora, followed by Zun Yuan Technology at the corner of FB Harrison and William Street, also in Pasay. We also raided Kimberhi Technology, which operates the 3D Analyzer POGO, and more recently, a site inside the Heritage Hotel in Pasay,” Casio disclosed.
He further noted that PAOCC, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), is examining the role of Pasay LGU officials, particularly in issuing business permits and regulatory certificates through the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO). While no final decision has been made, an ongoing investigation is gathering evidence to determine possible criminal liability.
Foreign POGO Workers Under Scrutiny
Meanwhile, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval reported a concerning trend in which smaller groups of foreign nationals continue working for illegal POGOs operating in gated communities, condominiums, and residential areas.
As of the latest count, approximately 11,254 foreign POGO workers remain in the Philippines, despite the government’s directive for them to leave following the industry’s official shutdown last year. Sandoval revealed that the majority of these workers are of Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian, and Burmese nationalities.
“All those who have not complied with the exit requirement have been added to our derogatory records and are facing deportation charges. Upon deportation, they will also be placed on our immigration blacklist,” Sandoval stated.
She clarified that these figures exclude individuals who have been involved with illegal POGOs from the beginning. The deportation measures specifically target those who were previously employed in legitimate POGOs that have since been ordered to cease operations.
Citing data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Sandoval noted that of the 33,863 foreign nationals previously employed by registered POGOs or internet gaming licensees (IGLs), only 22,609 have officially left the country. The remaining individuals are now classified as illegal aliens.
Ongoing Crackdown on Illegal POGOs
Sandoval also provided updates on law enforcement efforts against illegal POGO operations, revealing that 518 foreign nationals have been arrested this year alone. These arrests stemmed from four major raids:
January 8 – Parañaque City: 450 foreign nationals apprehended
January 15 – Silang, Cavite: 29 foreign nationals
January 17 – Parañaque City: 33 foreign nationals
February 17 – Pasay City: 6 foreign nationals
The PAOCC crackdown continues amid growing concerns about the negative impact of illegal POGOs on crime rates and public safety. Casio, who recently returned as PAOCC spokesperson after a temporary suspension, assured the public that his agency remains committed to rooting out illegal gaming operations and holding accountable those responsible for enabling them.
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