PNP Chief Rommel Marbil vows to eliminate all POGOs nationwide by the end of 2024.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil has committed to eliminating all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) across the country by the end of the current year.
Marbil pledged to intensify police efforts to shut down POGO operations, which are linked to crimes such as torture, human trafficking, cyber fraud, and various illegal activities, as reported by Malaya Business Insight.
“We have two months to go to clear the country of these illegal POGOs,” Marbil told reporters.
The PNP will work closely with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to enforce stringent measures, including heightened surveillance, crackdown operations, and administrative penalties on non-compliant entities.
“This operation not only exposes the vast reach of illegal POGO activities but also reinforces the unwavering resolve of law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks, uphold public safety, and preserve the rule of law in every sector of cyber enforcement,” he said, as reported by the Inquirer.
This initiative aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s pronouncement during his 2023 State of the Nation Address, where he ordered the removal of POGOs due to their detrimental impact on the country’s social order and security.
The President underscored the need to counteract the negative social and economic effects POGOs have introduced, echoing calls from various sectors to prioritize citizen safety and well-being over the revenue generated by these operations.
The PNP’s commitment reflects growing public and government pressure to address POGOs’ involvement in organized crime.
PNP Chief Marbil reiterated his resolve to eradicate these operations entirely by December, emphasizing that any remaining establishments will be strictly sanctioned to safeguard communities across the Philippines.
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