Senator Sherwin Zhang Qiaowei has once again called for an increase in intelligence funds for the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen the fight against crimes related to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
Zhang Qiaowei pointed out that POGO continues to ignore the government's ban on POGO operations, disguising themselves as other businesses.
"The Philippine National Police needs funds to gather intelligence, especially in combating Philippine online gaming companies. Now is the time to support the Philippine National Police in gathering more intelligence," Zhang Qiaowei said during the deliberation of the PNP's 2025 budget proposal.
The senator noted that the intelligence fund of the Philippine National Police has decreased from 1.356 billion pesos in 2023 to 906.025 million pesos this year.
"This reduction goes against what we are trying to achieve," he said.
The Senate has increased the intelligence fund of the Philippine National Police for next year from 806.025 million pesos by 100 million pesos.
In light of the President's directive to terminate the operations of all online gaming companies by the end of the year, Zhang Qiaowei stated that law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police need to double their efforts to eliminate all online gaming companies, especially those involved in illegal activities such as kidnapping, human trafficking, and online fraud.
According to the latest data provided by the Philippine National Police, as of May 2025, the total number of victims related to POGO crimes is 5,800.
On November 5, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 74, aimed at reinforcing his earlier directive to shut down all POGO operations in the Philippines.
Under Article 4 of Executive Order No. 74, the Philippine National Police is ordered to intensify efforts to combat illegal POGO and internet gaming license holders as well as other offshore gaming operations and services.
