10 days to inspect 3 companies! The speed of the Philippines' sudden raid on illegal POGOs is too fast!

Recently, the Philippine government has significantly increased its efforts to combat illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), conducting raids on three illegal operators within just 10 days and arresting hundreds of individuals involved, most of whom are Chinese nationals. These actions not only demonstrate the Philippines' "zero tolerance" policy towards illegal POGO activities but also showcase the current government's efficiency and determination in eradicating the illegal gambling industry within the country.

First operation: Paranaque City (January 8)

On January 8, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, in collaboration with multiple departments, launched a large-scale raid in a building in the Barangay Tambo area of Paranaque City, arresting about 400 foreign nationals, most of whom were Chinese citizens. These individuals were suspected of committing fraud against overseas victims through online platforms.

During the operation, authorities seized a large amount of equipment used in the crimes, including computers, mobile phones, and ledgers, and found that the operational methods at the scene were highly similar to those of illegal POGO activities.

Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval stated that the arrested individuals are currently undergoing identity verification and registration processes, and will subsequently be detained and subjected to deportation procedures. Relevant government departments are collaborating fully to expedite the review and repatriation process, ensuring that offenders are held accountable under the law.

Second operation: Silang City, Camarines Sur Province (January 12)

Just a few days later, the Philippine police conducted another raid targeting illegal POGOs in Silang City, Camarines Sur Province. This operation was led by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and involved cooperation from the Bureau of Immigration and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

The raid took place at a private resort where the suspects were hiding and conducting illegal online gambling and fraud activities. Ultimately, the police arrested 29 foreign nationals, including 6 from Myanmar and 23 from mainland China. The police stated that these individuals primarily used cryptocurrencies to carry out cross-border online fraud, related to previously shut down large offshore gambling platforms.

Investigations revealed that this illegal institution rented the entire resort for 800,000 pesos (approximately 100,000 RMB) per month to cover up its illegal activities. To evade detection, they used laptops instead of desktop computers, and each person had their own mobile WiFi instead of a shared router. Authorities are further tracking the masterminds behind this institution.

Third operation: Aseana City, Paranaque City

On the evening of January 17, the Philippine police once again conducted a surprise search at an illegal gambling center in Manila. During the operation, the Bureau of Immigration arrested 20 Chinese, 11 Malaysians, and 1 Cambodian, and confiscated a batch of network equipment, forged documents, and financial ledgers. This raid specifically targeted a form of crime known as "mini POGO," which operates by dispersing multiple small locations to avoid regulatory crackdowns.

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz stated, "These illegal organizations disguise themselves as legitimate businesses, but in reality, they engage in serious transnational criminal activities that harm society. We are taking stricter measures to hold the responsible individuals and local government officials accountable."

These 32 foreigners will be temporarily detained by the NBI and will continue to undergo deportation procedures by the Bureau of Immigration.

Responsibility of the masterminds and local officials

Following the action on the 8th, the Minister of the Interior immediately demanded an explanation from the Paranaque City government as to why there was an illegal POGO center in Barangay Tambo. He also ordered mayors to submit a report at the end of each month detailing whether their cities or municipal authorities had POGO operations.

According to investigations by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the long-term existence of these illegal POGO activities is largely due to the tacit approval or lax supervision of local governments. Some officials have even been sued for negligence or involvement in the benefit chain.

PAOCC clearly stated that local officials cannot use "ignorance" as an excuse, as these companies cannot be established and operated quickly. President Ferdinand Marcos has demanded that local governments strictly perform their duties and regularly submit reports on whether there are suspected illegal POGOs in their jurisdictions. If local officials fail to fulfill their responsibilities, they will face disciplinary action and even legal prosecution.

The Minister of the Interior also recently issued a stern warning to all local government officials nationwide, demanding a thorough cleanup of online gambling remnants in their jurisdictions, or they will face disciplinary action and even legal accountability.

He warned, "All local officials must diligently perform their duties, regularly inspect commercial premises in their jurisdictions, and ensure that prohibited online gambling activities no longer exist. If we find that some officials conceal information during inspections, they will be held accountable."

Behind the efficiency improvement: Multiple pressures lead to effective crackdown

The continuous crackdown on 3 illegal POGOs within 10 days is a departure from the public's perception of "efficiency" in the Philippines.

Recent events show a significant improvement in the efficiency of the Philippines' crackdown on illegal POGOs. Why is this?

1. Policy pressure: Since announcing the prohibition of POGOs, the Philippine government has been pressuring local governments to strictly check for suspicious activities in their jurisdictions and report them. Local government officials face greater regulatory pressure. The Minister of the Interior has repeatedly called on the mayor of Paranaque and other mayors to diligently perform their duties, clean up illegal POGO centers, or face legal consequences. Such serious warnings have made local officials dare not slack off.

2. Anti-fraud wave in Southeast Asia: Following the exposure of the "Wang Xing incident," several Southeast Asian countries have intensified their crackdown on telecommunications fraud and illegal gambling. For example, Myanmar recently handed over 19 individuals suspected of telecommunications fraud to China, and Cambodia's Boao Park was also raided by hundreds of gendarmes yesterday, with a focus on indiscriminate arrests, directly taking people away by bus.