When the Philippines initially announced a comprehensive ban on POGOs in July, some people held onto various hopes, thinking it was just a scare tactic. Throughout August, the attitude of various departments remained relatively neutral. There were claims that ILG was not included in the ban, and some legislators suggested opening cockfighting gambling to compensate for the billions of dollars in revenue loss caused by the POGO ban.
However, these statements were later refuted one by one.
On August 20, PAGCOR required all internet gaming license (IGL) holders, support providers, and local gaming agents to submit a detailed business termination plan by August 30, 2024.
Online cockfighting gambling was also rejected by the House of Representatives.
The Philippine government began to consider the reemployment of unemployed workers, proposing measures such as lowering visa requirements, delaying the ban until the end of the year, and requiring foreign employees to voluntarily return to their countries by October 15.
Even the famous Pearl Tower and Kamidi, two major industry hubs, successively announced their closure/cessation of operations by December 15.
Regrettably, although the Philippine government was actively preparing for the reemployment of Filipino POGO workers, out of the 27,000 people counted, only just over 30 attended the job fair.
Moreover, by mid to late October, there were still 5,000 foreign workers who had not completed their visa downgrading procedures by the deadline. The Minister of Justice sternly warned, "Foreign employees of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) who fail to complete the visa downgrade by October 15 will be considered for automatic visa downgrading and may face arrest actions. Workers who fail to leave the country by December 31, 2024, will face deportation procedures and be blacklisted from entering the Philippines!"
As for others, the options are basically to change companies, change countries, or go off-grid.
Change companies, find a more concealed place to continue working;
Change countries, if the Philippines bans me, other Southeast Asian countries don't, go to other countries;
Go off-grid, for those who have visa issues and don't want to go to other countries, they move to apartments or remote areas to go off-grid.
Those who run to other countries are beyond the reach of the Philippines. But for those who change companies and continue to engage in fraud, and those who go off-grid in apartments and rural areas, the Philippines has ways to deal with them.
Last month, the Minister of Justice of the Philippines, Remulla, also said that foreign employees of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) who fail to complete the visa downgrade after October 15 may face arrest actions.
They were still waiting for the final administrative order from the small horse, but it has been delayed.
As the final deadline approaches, the efficiency of the Philippine law enforcement departments quietly improved!
Philippine law enforcement officers began to arrest non-stop! Whether you are in a building or a resort, an apartment, no one is spared.
In early September, a Chinese boss named Zhao Lao (transliterated) who was running a POGO in a resort in Cebu was caught. At that time, three of Zhao's scam companies were raided, and 162 people were arrested. Then he tried to bribe the Philippine law enforcement officers who conducted the raid, attempting to exchange money for his freedom. However, he did not expect that these bribery attempts were not only recorded by journalists, but he and four other Chinese officials also faced criminal charges.
In early October, a company in the Kimberhi Building was raided, and 188 foreigners and 73 Filipino employees were arrested. Six leaders were caught.
On October 10, another POGO company in Mubao was raided, arresting 38 undocumented Chinese people.
On October 15, another company in the Dayatai Resort was raided, arresting 17 Chinese people.
From October 29 to 31, the Philippine government conducted successive raids in apartments in Parañaque City, Xindingcai, Yingtianxia, and the Badanbagak Park!
These incidents left a deep impression.
In Parañaque, after arresting a "wild pusher," one of them suggested using money for redemption. Then the Philippine law enforcement officers decisively agreed, and then lay in wait, catching the person who came to deliver the money.
Unfortunately, they thought they could catch a big boss, but it turned out to be just a minion.
The Xindingcai incident was also a bit thrilling, as the raid was triggered by a report from a Filipino employee! And after searching once and leaving, they made a surprise return and directly arrested 69 Chinese people. But because there was no legal way to detain them, these 69 people were released.
However, because they did not coordinate this activity with PAOCC, the PNP responsible for law enforcement and PAOCC had quite a few arguments in the media these days.
Speaking of the Yingtianxia incident, although the raid news leaked in advance and many wild pushers ran away,
But the Badanbagak incident was merciless. They directly raided the park for law enforcement, searching 15 foreigners and 7 buildings within the large courtyard.
Although the company's CEO repeatedly stated that the company was a BPO company, not illegally operating a POGO site, the large number of computers, mobile phones, and SIM card tools suspected of being used for fraud were found. Moreover, an Indonesian person wanted for long-term involvement with illegal platform encryption fraud was also found here.
During the incident, the executive director of PAOCC also made a thought-provoking statement, "It does not have a secondary license issued by PAGCOR. Although it is indeed a BPO and has obtained a license from the investment promotion zone."
Previously, the media was still wondering whether the free ports and economic zones had become a "gray area" for the Marcos POGO ban, with PAGCOR waiting for the final administrative order.
But regarding whether companies in the free port area should or should not be banned, PAOCC's action seems to be hinting at us again: the free port cannot become a shield! What is coming will eventually come!
Even though the housing industry in Manila has seen a continuous increase in vacancy rates and a decline in rent levels due to the POGO ban, the Mayor of Manila still stated that she will strictly enforce the policy, resolutely prohibiting any Philippine offshore gaming companies (POGO) from continuing operations in the city, and will not allow any operations beyond the deadline set by the president.
She also requested all building owners possibly related to POGO to issue notices in a timely manner to ensure that these tenants no longer engage in any form of POGO operations, as this has been identified as illegal activity.
On the other hand, although the small horse has not issued an administrative order and is always waiting for him to speak while dealing with floods and looking at disaster victims, he has not expressed any opposition to recent events. That is to say, the small horse actually tacitly allows government departments to "work hard" to clean up POGOs.
It can be foreseen that if the ban reaches the final stage, the small horse will inevitably stand up and demand continued cleanup!
As for whether it will be like some people say, first clean up, then reshuffle, and then redevelop?
We shall see!
