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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Nartatez directs PNP to intensify operations vs POGOs disguised as BPO firms

Nartatez directs PNP to intensify operations vs POGOs disguised as BPO firms

Published Dec 8, 2025 10:17 am
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (Photo courtesy of PNP/CIDG Southern NCR)
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. (Photo courtesy of PNP/CIDG Southern NCR)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is tightening its watch on foreign-led underground gaming groups after a recent raid in Taguig City revealed an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operation masquerading as a business process outsourcing (BPO) company.
Acting PNP Chief, Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the discovery of the illegal hub in Upper McKinley Hills underscored how syndicates continue to evade the national ban on POGOs.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit and the Southern Police District, in coordination with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), uncovered the operation while serving an arrest warrant on a Chinese national wanted for estafa last Dec. 1.
Seventeen foreign nationals including 12 Chinese, four Malaysians, and a Vietnamese were arrested for allegedly running the “pin77.com” online gaming platform without authorization from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
Eighty-three Filipino workers also told investigators they were misled into believing they were employed by a legitimate information technology (IT) firm.
Nartatez said the police are seeing a pattern of foreign nationals attempting to rebuild illicit operations under new covers.
“We are seeing a trend where some foreign nationals continue attempting to set up underground operations despite the national ban,” he said.
President Marcos Jr. signed into law Republic Act 12312 or the “Anti-POGO Act of 2025” last Oct. 23 as he cited crimes linked to POGO hubs such as human trafficking and torture.
Nartatez said the PNP has enhanced its coordination with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to tighten their monitoring.
“But wherever they try to hide, they will be caught,” the top cop noted.
He added that authorities are studying strong indicators linking some of the newly identified hubs to broader cross-border crime groups.
“This is not just simple illegal gambling; there is a possibility that it involves online fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and other cyber-enabled crimes,” Nartatez said.
He warned groups attempting to rebuild POGO-like schemes to stop their illicit activities.
“If there are still individuals or groups planning to run POGO-like operations, they should stop because we will find you, we will shut you down, and we will file the strongest possible charges. Hindi namin hahayaang gamitin ang bansa para sa illegal operations na nagpapahina sa seguridad, ekonomiya, at reputasyon ng Pilipinas (We will not allow the country to be used for illegal operations that undermine the security, economy, and reputation of the Philippines),” he said.
The arrested foreign nationals face charges under Presidential Decree 1602 for illegal gambling, Republic Act 10175 or Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and RA 11934 or the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) Registration Act.

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PNP POGOs Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. CIDG Taguig City
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