Philippines' Minister of Interior and Local Government, Jonvic Remulla, recently stated that over 2,000 Philippine offshore gaming (POGO) workers are expected to be arrested in the coming days for violating the ban.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) declared that it will continue to closely monitor those small-scale POGO organizations that still operate under the ban.
Despite the government's complete prohibition of the POGO industry, the PAOCC reports that many employees refuse to leave the Philippines, and some have initiated smaller-scale "guerrilla-style" POGO activities nationwide.
PAOCC Executive Director and Deputy Minister Gilbert Cruz stated that some small-scale POGOs are still active in Metro Manila, while others have expanded to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
These small-scale POGO operations differ from the large POGO centers; they usually take place in private resorts or apartments, are generally smaller in scale, involving about 20 to 50 participants.
Cruz explained that the fraudulent activities of these small-scale POGOs typically require foreign employees for language services, particularly targeting specific groups such as Vietnamese, Malaysians, or Indonesians. While the keyboard operators in these operations are mostly Filipinos, the actual control and command are often by foreigners.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. previously instructed the Ministry of Interior and Local Government to intensify crackdowns, especially the local governments' accountability for foreigners engaging in POGO activities.
Cruz added that President Marcos believes that such activities could not operate without the knowledge of local government officials, especially in rural areas.
Authorities have noticed signs indicating that overseas gambling companies are operating in the region, such as an increase in the number of foreigners, a rise in internet connection applications, and an increase in food delivery volumes.
