Philippine authorities intensify their crackdown on crimes linked to underground gambling after the POGO ban, uncovering cases of kidnapping, cyber scams, and human trafficking.
Law enforcement in the Philippines is stepping up efforts against offshore gaming operators (POGOs) as they run underground and operate covertly.
Crimes Linked to POGOs
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Marbil said cases of kidnapping, illegal detention, cyber scams, and human trafficking have been found connected to underground gambling and online fraud, despite a ban on offshore gaming.
Authorities continue to link POGOs to criminal activities and are pursuing those who failed to shut down before the December 2024 deadline.
From January 2024 to February 2025, about 40 kidnapping cases were recorded, including 10 victims from China, according to PNP’s Anti-Kidnapping Group.
PNP’s Commitment
“The PNP will remain relentless in its efforts to curb criminal activities and dismantle networks that pose threats to peace and order. We are fully committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable,” Marbil said.
Raids and Arrests
In late 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned offshore gaming in the Philippines, leading to police raids in areas suspected of housing illegal POGOs. One raid in Parañaque City led to 450 arrests, just minutes from the country’s main airport.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested six South Koreans and 15 Filipinos in a separate raid in Pasay in February. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is also preparing charges against local officials for failing to monitor illegal POGO activities.
Read related article: Pasay Officials Face Legal Heat Over Illegal POGOs
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