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Gatchalian bats for higher intel fund for PNP to combat POGO-related crimes

Philippines | National

Gatchalian bats for higher intel fund for PNP to combat POGO-related crimes

By Hannah L. Torregoza

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday, November 18 pushed anew for a higher intelligence fund for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to boost the campaign against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-related crimes.

Gatchalian noted that POGOs continue to defy the government’s ban on POGO operations, masquerading into other businesses.

"The PNP needs funds to gather intelligence, particularly in the fight against POGOs. This is the time to support the PNP in gathering more intelligence,” Gatchalian said as he interpellated on the PNP’s proposed budget for 2025.

The senator took note that the PNP’s intelligence fund dipped from P1.356-billion in 2023 to P906.025-million this year.

“The reduction is counter-intuitive on what we want to do,” he said.

The Senate increased by P100-million the PNP’s intelligence fund of P806.025-million for next year.

Given the President’s directive to terminate all POGO operations in the country by the end of the year, Gatchalian said law enforcement agencies, such as the PNP, need to double the efforts to eradicate all POGOs, particularly those that are involved in illegal activities such as kidnap-for-ransom, human trafficking, and online scamming.

Based on the latest data provided by the PNP, the total number of victims of POGO-related crimes stood at 5,800 as of May 2025.

Last November 5, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74 for the purpose of strengthening his earlier directive of closing all POGO operations in the Philippines.

Under Section 4 of EO 74, the PNP is ordered to intensify their efforts against illegal POGOs and internet gaming licensees and other offshore gaming operations and services.

Related Tags

POGO-related crimes Sherwin Gatchalian Philippine National Police (PNP) POGO ban

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