The Philippine government has signaled a decisive end to its crackdown on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), with authorities expecting to resolve the issue by the end of the year.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Chief, Gilbert Cruz, confirmed that significant progress has been made following a series of major operations against illegal POGO hubs. 

In a televised interview, PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz mentioned that the government aims to eliminate illegal POGO activities within a year, stating, “It will be possible within the year… We are not stopping.” He noted that around 11,000 illegal workers are still operating scams in the country, despite a total ban on POGOs.

Crackdown hit key Philippine cities

The latest crackdown led to the neutralisation of three scam hubs and the arrest of 559 foreign nationals. These illegal operations were uncovered in a corporate building in Parañaque City, a condominium, and the basement of a hotel in Pasay City.

On 17 February, five Chinese fugitives were apprehended during a raid in Parañaque, while on 13 February, authorities rescued 30 Indonesian nationals who had been forced into exploitative labor conditions in POGO operations. Three supervisors responsible for their mistreatment were arrested, and repatriation procedures for the victims are now in progress.

Additionally, authorities dismantled a Chinese-run kidnapping syndicate targeting fellow Chinese nationals involved in POGO activities. Two suspects were arrested, and a torture-marked victim was rescued. All foreign nationals arrested in connection with illegal POGO activities will undergo immigration inquests, facilitating their deportation and blacklisting from re-entering the country.

While some clandestine POGO operations persist in smaller locations, national agencies and local government executives are actively working to eliminate them. The government remains confident that the crackdown will be successfully concluded by the end of 2025.

New community-driven strategy executed

Amid the ongoing POGO cleanup, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) continues its focus on community development. The agency recently inaugurated Occidental Mindoro’s first PAGCOR-funded socio-civic centres, marking a major infrastructure milestone in the province.

The two-storey facility, constructed with a PHP50 million (€822,572) budget, will serve as an evacuation centre during disasters and a venue for various community initiatives. Occidental Mindoro Governor Eduardo Gadiano expressed gratitude for the project, emphasising its significance beyond disaster relief, as it will also generate revenue through event rentals.

PAGCOR has already completed 45 socio-civic centres across the country, with 28 more currently under construction. These centres aim to enhance social programs and provide educational opportunities for local communities, demonstrating PAGCOR’s continued commitment to national development even as the government intensifies its POGO crackdown.

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