The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) plans to inspect special category business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities on December 20, Friday, searching for suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) that might be operating covertly.
PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz stated that the inspection aims to ensure that no POGO centers are using BPO facilities as a cover, as previously feared.
Additionally, he mentioned that they will intensify law enforcement in January, focusing on hotels, resorts, and communities suspected of harboring small illegal POGO centers.
RH Jecelle Ricafort reported that Rommel Francisco Marbil, the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), had previously revealed receiving multiple reports about illegal POGO operations at the aforementioned locations.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) confirmed that after the closure of the so-called largest facility in Kawit, Cavite Province, there are no longer any licensed POGO centers operating within the Philippines.
This closure was led by PAOCC Executive Director, the Chief of the Philippine National Police, the Chairman of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation Alejandro Tengco, and the Minister of Interior Jonvic Remulla.
However, despite the impending deadline of the ban imposed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., PAOCC still found that there are 100 suspected guerrilla-like POGOs operating across the Philippines.
