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PAOCC is set to arrest four alleged Chinese and Malaysian-Chinese financiers of POGOs in the coming days, targeting key figures behind illegal gaming operations. During the “Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon” briefing held on October 15, 2024, PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio provided updates on the ongoing investigations. He confirmed that the agency is closing in on these financiers and is in the process of developing solid cases against them. “Most of them are Chinese and we got a few who are Malaysian-Chinese. So, may lead po tayo (we have a lead),” he stated, indicating that the PAOCC has been monitoring these individuals for some time. Dr. Casio emphasized that the evidence gathered against the financiers is robust, suggesting that law enforcement is well-prepared for the impending arrests. “I’m sure hindi lang apat ‘yan. Mayroon pa ibang kasama mga ‘yan pero, so far, apat ang aming minamanmanan ngayon (I’m sure there are not just four. There are others involved with them, but for now, we are focusing on these four),” he was quoted as saying in a report published by the Manila Bulletin. The crackdown on POGO operations comes in the wake of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to ban POGOs  due to their links to various criminal activities. Following this order, the PAOCC reported a significant decrease in POGO operations. However, Dr. Casio acknowledged the ongoing challenge of addressing underground operations that continue to evade law enforcement. “So, there are a good number of them [still operating underground], and we are having difficulty catching up,” he remarked. The PAOCC’s efforts reflect a broader governmental strategy to eliminate POGOs, which have faced increased scrutiny over allegations of illegal activities, including human trafficking and money laundering. The President had set a deadline for the closure of all POGOs  by the end of this year, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Dr. Casio assured the public that the task force’s mandate would extend beyond December 31. “So, tuluy-tuloy lang kami. Assuming na may matira pa (We will continue our mandate. Assuming that some POGOs remain after December, we will still go after them and close them down),” he stressed.

NBI reveals POGOs forming small groups in residential areas to evade detection, with 17 foreigners arrested in Makati for alleged scamming during a recent raid. According to a report aired on the October 15, 2024 episode of 24 Oras, the arrested individuals were found at their workstations engaged in various scams, including love scams and cryptocurrency fraud. The NBI’s Cybercrime Division Chief, Jeremy Lotoc, provided insights into how these scammers operate. “Pag nakakuha sila ng pool of information, magko-conduct sila ng background investigation kung sino ang target nila. Pag nakita nila yung pattern, yung character, yung hobby, yung daily activities at the same time yung longings ng kanilang victims, ie-engage nila through social engineering,” Lotoc explained. (When they obtain a pool of information, they conduct a background investigation to identify their target. When they see the pattern, character, hobbies, daily activities, and longings of their victims, they engage them through social engineering.) Lotoc further emphasized the sophistication of these operations, noting, “Merong hacker, merong buyer ng data. May nakita kaming program-coded script na pwede magamit to access other systems without the authority nor consent of the system owner we assume meron silang activity in terms of hacking.” (There are hackers and data buyers. We found a program-coded script that can be used to access other systems without the authority or consent of the system owner. We assume they have hacking activities.) The NBI has determined that the individuals arrested are linked to larger POGO companies. “Yung malalaking POGO, nag-group sila into smaller group, nag-o-occupy ng residential units, apartments, para hindi mahalata na POGO, yun pa rin. To continue their scamming activities,” stated NBI Director Jimmy Santiago. (The larger POGOs have grouped into smaller units and are occupying residential units and apartments to avoid detection. They continue their scamming activities.) In the aftermath of the raid, the NBI is now examining the confiscated computers to extract details about the victims. An inquest has already been conducted on those arrested, and they face charges related to online fraud as well as violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act. In a related development, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval announced that more than 12,000 foreign POGO workers  from discontinued POGOs have applied to downgrade their working visas. These workers have been given a deadline of October 15 to convert their 9G visas into tourist visas. They must leave the Philippines by the end of the year if they do not wish to return to a working status. Sandoval explained the implications of this downgrade: “Foreign workers whose working visas have been downgraded will be reverted to having a temporary visitor status.” This policy reflects the government’s efforts to regulate the POGO industry, which has faced increasing scrutiny over its operations and the legality of its activities.

Mylah Roque, wife of ex-spokesperson Harry Roque, has left the Philippines, says BI, amid allegations linking her to illegal gaming operations. Mylah Roque’s departure from the country was confirmed by BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval during the October 15, 2024 briefing. “Ms. Mylah Roque has been out of the country since September 3. A lookout bulletin was issued for her on September 16,” Sandoval was quoted as saying in a report published by the Inquirer. The issuance of this bulletin came after Mylah was held in contempt by the House of Representatives Quad Committee. The committee ordered her arrest after she failed to respond to a subpoena related to ongoing investigations. The immigration lookout bulletin (ILBO) serves a different purpose than a hold departure order (HDO). An ILBO allows immigration officials to monitor an individual’s movements but does not prevent them from leaving the country. To travel abroad while subject to an ILBO, a person must obtain an Allow Departure Order (ADO) from the chief of the Department of Justice. In contrast, an HDO, which can only be issued by a court, would outright prohibit an individual from exiting the country. Mylah Roque was summoned by the Quad Committee after allegations surfaced regarding her involvement in signing a lease agreement with Chinese nationals associated with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations in Bamban, Tarlac. Abang Lingkod Representative Joseph Paduano, who chairs the House Public Accounts Committee, expressed frustration over Mylah’s failure to respond to the committee’s inquiries. He indicated that she had ample opportunity to address the claims linking her and the family-owned Biancham Holdings to a separate POGO complex that had been raided by authorities in Pampanga. As for Harry Roque, Sandoval noted that he has not recently departed the Philippines. He is also under an immigration lookout bulletin issued on August 6. Last September, House Quad Committee Lead Co-Chairperson Representative Robert Ace Barbers stated that there was “overwhelming” evidence showing that Harry Roque increased his wealth  due to his alleged connections with illegal POGOs. “We think he benefited from Lucky South 99; that’s why his net worth increased,” said Barbers. Lucky South 99 was the Porac POGO hub involved in torture , human trafficking and illegal scamming activities. While Mylah has left the country, Harry has remained behind, making statements through social media. He has characterized the actions taken against him and his wife as politically motivated persecution. In a bid for protection, Harry Roque sought legal recourse through a writ of amparo filed by their daughter. However, this request was denied , as such writs are typically granted only in cases involving extrajudicial killings or serious threats.