Palace vows swift action vs POGOs, scam operations
At A Glance
- Acknowledging the issue, Castro said the government will review existing policies to determine if further amendments are necessary.
Malacañang has vowed to swiftly crack down on the reported resurgence of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) amid concerns that they continue to operate two months after the industry's nationwide ban.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Senator Risa Hontiveros warned that POGOs have reinvented themselves as scam operations despite the ban imposed by President Marcos in December 2024.
In a press briefing, the Palace official assured the public that authorities will intensify efforts to go after POGOs.
"Makikipag-ugnayan po tayo sa ating mga ahensiya na dapat na tumugis kung mayroon pa pong mga POGOs dito na siyang nagtatrabaho, nag-o-operate ng walang lisensya (We will coordinate with agencies responsible for pursuing any POGOs that continue to operate without a license)," she said.
"Obligasyon po ng gobyerno na tugisin ang mga ito dahil sila po ay iligal. Makakaasa po kayo ng mabilisang aksyon dito (It is the government's obligation to go after them because they are illegal. You can expect swift action on this matter)," she added.
Despite the ban, reports suggest that some POGOs have adapted by disguising their operations under new business models, including fraudulent schemes targeting foreign workers and investors.
One possible loophole raised is the exemption granted to online games of chance operating under licensed casinos regulated by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor). This provision allows certain gambling activities to continue despite the broader crackdown on POGOs.
Acknowledging the issue, Castro said the government will review existing policies to determine if further amendments are necessary.
"Dahil po ngayon ay nagkakaroon po ng problema ayon sa balita, pag-iigtingin po natin at pag-aaralin pa po nating mabuti kung ano pa ang dapat gawin (Because there are reports of problems, we will intensify efforts and study further what else needs to be done)," she said.
"Katulad po ng aking sinabi, mabilisan pong aksyon ito dahil hindi po talaga dapat nananatili rito ang mga iligal na operasyon ng POGO (As I have said, this will be swift action because illegal POGO operations should not remain here)," she added.
Calls for stricter enforcement came following reports linking POGOs to criminal activities, including money laundering, human trafficking, and cyber scams.