The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) distanced legitimate Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) from the foreign nationals reportedly involved in illegal online gaming in the country.
They were not POGOs, Alejandro Tengco, Pagcor chairman and chief executive officer said, as he clarified that illicit activities of these Chinese and other foreign nationals are not in any way related to legitimate offshore gaming entities.
“The agency emphasizes that any individual, group or entity which conducts online gambling without approval to operate from Pagcor should not be categorized as POGO,” Tengco said in a statement on Thursday. Sept. 29.
Tengco explained that POGO operations are strictly being monitored by the Pagcor.
“Any gaming entity that fails to pass the application process for an offshore gaming license and to fulfill the documentary and financial requirements, among others, cannot be labeled as legal offshore gaming operators or POGO,” Tengco said.
Pagcor currently has 34 approved POGO operators, 127 accredited service providers and five special class of business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, which Tengco said underwent probity check.
Personnel of Customer Relations Service Providers, Gaming Software Platform Providers and Live Studio and Streaming Providers were required to secure offshore gaming employment licenses and are now ordered to obtain police clearances, Tengco added.
Meanwhile, Tengco said Pagcor is now in close coordination with various law enforcement agencies to determine any illegal offshore gaming operations in the country and thwart kidnapping and human trafficking incidents.
These agencies include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Last Sept. 14, Pagcor held an inter-agency meeting with the DILG, DOJ, PNP, and the NBI amid increasing number of crimes related to illegal offshore gaming operations.
Tengco said President Marcos was aware of illegal online gaming-related kidnapping cases and other illegal activities in the country, thus the chief executive ordered them to tighten the operations against illegal operators
“The information we received is that these alarming incidents of kidnapping came from the ranks of illegal operators. While it will be a challenge to all participating agencies, the good thing is that we are receiving information as to where these illegal operations are located,” Tengco said.
The Pagcor chief added that the licensed POGO operators have also shown their commitment to help address the problem by “policing their own ranks.”