The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) recently warned that despite the government's official implementation of the POGO ban at the beginning of the year, nearly a hundred small illegal gambling dens are still hidden in residential areas, apartments, and hotels. The government stated that law enforcement will take tougher measures against these illegal POGO operations, vowing to completely eradicate them by the end of 2025.
Gilbert Cruz, the executive director of PAOCC, revealed at a news forum that although the government has strictly prohibited POGO operations, the high profits still drive criminals to take risks, with some small POGOs choosing to hide in communities to evade law enforcement.
"The operation modes of these illegal POGOs are more secretive; they are scattered across various residential buildings, commercial apartments, and even hotel rooms, trying to escape government regulation. However, we have already pinpointed their locations, and it is only a matter of time before they are completely eradicated," Cruz emphasized.
To ensure the effective enforcement of the ban, PAOCC is intensifying joint law enforcement efforts with the police and related agencies, continuously tracking and raiding these illegal dens. Cruz warned that all landlords, property owners, and financial backers involved in illegal POGO activities will face legal sanctions.
Additionally, he called on the public to actively provide leads, especially families suspecting that their relatives are being forced to work in POGOs, to contact PAOCC as soon as possible to assist law enforcement in investigating and rescuing victims.
Cruz stressed that despite the government's strong measures, some small POGO operators are still secretly operating, often hidden in bustling areas such as Makati City, the MOA district of Pasay City, and the BGC area of Taguig City, posing challenges to law enforcement.
As the Philippines undertakes a massive cleanup of the POGO industry, countries like China, Indonesia, and Malaysia have expressed great concern and are willing to bear the costs of repatriating their citizens to jointly curb transnational illegal gambling activities.
"We maintain close cooperation with governments of various countries to ensure that all illegal POGO workers are properly repatriated and to thoroughly investigate the illegal organizations involved," Cruz added.
PAOCC reiterated that the campaign against illegal POGOs will continue to advance, aiming to completely eliminate all POGO operators in the Philippines by the end of 2025, especially those hidden in commercial areas and tourist spots.
The government has also promised that legal actions are being taken against local officials and government personnel involved with POGOs, and will severely punish public servants colluding with criminals, to ensure that the Philippines is completely free from the negative impacts of POGOs.
"We will not tolerate any form of illegal gambling activities, no matter where they hide, they will eventually be eradicated," Cruz stated.
The government vows to completely root out all POGOs by the end of 2025 and ensure that the Philippines no longer serves as a breeding ground for transnational gambling crimes.
