Carry out smaller but multiples operations against existing Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country.
President Marcos made this directive to law enforcement and anti-corruption entities on Thursday, Dec. 12.
During the second Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC)-Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) meeting for 2024 in Camp Crame in Quezon City, the President ordered the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to intensify their operations against POGOs that are still operating despite the ban.
He also asked the local chief executives to coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in going after POGOs in their respective jurisdictions.
Local government units (LGUs) have the capability to determine suspicious illegal activities in their communities, especially those concerning POGOs, he stressed.
As of November 29 this year, there were 53,700 cancelled offshore gaming employment licenses; 18 internet gaming licensees (IGLs) voluntarily cancelling their licenses; and 27 IGLs in the process of winding down their operations.
The President further said that suspicious illegal activities, especially those concerning POGOs, should be monitored by the LGUs, stressing that the DILG should step up gathering substantial intelligence from local communities.
In his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Marcos banned all POGOs in the Philippines, stressing “the grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop.”
On Wednesday, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said the government is expecting to run after small POGO hubs—rogue POGO— formed by former POGO workers operating in small spaces such as houses, apartments, or resorts.