The country will be "categorically" Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-free by 2025 with all licenses cancelled as ordered by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
This was the assurance given by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla on Friday, Dec. 13, as he pointed out that government law enforcement entities will hunt down illegal POGOs even after the closure of all remaining ones starting Dec. 15.
“Ganito iyan, two parts iyan. All licenses are cancelled, so POGO-free tayo; guerilla operations will flourish but we will go after them (This is how it works, there are two parts. All licenses are cancelled, so we are POGO-free; guerilla operations will flourish but we will go after them)," Remulla said.
Explaining the strategy, Remulla said that various government law enforcement agencies will be at their coat tails, making it difficult for POGOs to operate until "they say that it is no longer worth operating in the Philippines."
Together with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Remulla noted that the DILG through the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the local government units (LGUs) will scour potential areas where POGOs are likely to operate to put an end to their illegal activities.
He also said the DILG will issue a directive requiring local chief executives (LCEs) to report suspicious activities about the potential establishment of POGOs in their areas amid the total ban.
“Malalaman iyan sa spike bigla ng bandwidth use, entry of suspicious people congregating in houses not registered as businesses. So, they are enjoined to report immediately sa amin para malaman namin at makagawa kami ng aksiyon (We will know this by the sudden spike of the bandwidth use, entry of suspicious people congregating in houses not registered as businesses. So they [LCEs] are enjoined to report immediately for us to know and take appropriate actions)," he added.
Last July, President Marcos declared the banning of all POGO operations in the country during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Recently, the President also issued Executive Order (EO) No. 74, mandating the cessation of POGO operations by December 31, 2024.