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Law permanently banning POGOs provides full legal muscle for PNP

Philippines | National

Law permanently banning POGOs provides full legal muscle for PNP

By Aaron Recuenco

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (Photo: PNP)

Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (Photo: PNP)

President Marcos’ decision to permanently ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) through a legislative measure will give the country’s law enforcement agencies full legal muscle to eradicate all clandestine networks attempting to continue the criminal enterprise underground.

Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., acting chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), said the Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, is a critical tool that strengthens the PNP’s ability to pursue and shut down these operations permanently.

“We are profoundly grateful for the signing of this measure. It gives us the full legal muscle needed to decisively end the menace of illegal POGOs once and for all. This will ultimately protect Filipinos who have become targets of gambling and scam operations,” said Nartatez.

Signed on Oct. 23 by President Marcos, the new law prohibits the establishment, operation, or acceptance of any form of betting for offshore gaming in the country, guaranteeing a zero-tolerance policy moving forward.

Nartatez said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) was already directed to intensify intelligence and operational efforts to hunt down all remaining clandestine POGO sites.

With the newly-signed law, Nartatez said the PNP's fight against POGOs now involves relentless legal coordination.

“The PNP will coordinate with other agencies such as the DOJ in filing cases against those involved in POGO operations,” said Nartatez.

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