Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla ordered local chief executives (LCEs) to completely eradicate the remaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO) in their localities or run the risk of facing sanctions.
He told the LCEs to further heighten their inspection efforts in all the banned internet gaming licenses (IGL) operations following the recent raid of an alleged POGO-like company in Parañaque City.
“Mensahe ito sa lahat ng LCE, husayan n’yo trabaho, siguraduhin n’yong inspeksyunin n’yo lahat ng mga building. Kayo rin ang mananagot kung mahuli namin na pinasok n’yo mga building at hindi kayo nag-report sa amin (This is my message to all LCE, do your job well, make sure that you inspect all the buildings. You will be answerable if we catch you inspecting the buildings and failing to report such operations to us),’’ Remulla warned.
In a memorandum released on Jan. 2, Remulla ordered all local government units (LGUs) to regularly inspect business establishments in their areas of authority to ensure that there are no clandestine operations of POGOs.
Remulla also ordered the LGUs nationwide to coordinate with the Philippine National Police (PNP) for hidden POGO operations in their respective areas of responsibility and submit a “no POGO certificate” by the end of January 2025.
On Jan. 8, some 400 illegal aliens allegedly involved in online scam operations similar to those of POGOs were nabbed by the Bureau of Immigration (BID) in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.
Remulla said the DILG will ask for the Parañaque City government to explain the presence of the raided alleged POGO-like company in their locality.
“Full operation eh, 400 plus (illegal aliens), so susulat kami sa LGU, hihingi kami ng paliwanag kung ano talaga ang nangyari (This is a full operation, there were 400 plus so we will write to the LGU, we ask for an explanation on what really transpired),’’ Remulla stated.
In his 2024 State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. announced that all POGOs are banned effective immediately.
The President also issued Executive Order (EO) No. 74, mandating the cessation of POGO operations by Dec. 31, 2024.