Since the Philippine government announced a complete ban on offshore gambling operators (POGO) in 2023, a series of crackdowns have been carried out, achieving significant results.
According to a statement released by the Philippine National Police (PNP) dated July 2024, the police have successfully rescued nearly 6,000 victims and arrested over 1,000 suspects involved, nearly 900 of whom are Chinese nationals.
By December 2024, with the assistance of PAOCC, the Bureau of Immigration has confirmed 2,121 illegal POGO foreign workers (excluding those who voluntarily left the country), and over 3,000 foreign POGO workers have been deported. Currently, 337 illegal POGO workers are detained in PAOCC's detention center, waiting for legal proceedings to be completed before being deported.
The spokesperson for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) also stated that the majority of illegal offshore gambling operators (POGO) foreign workers still in the Philippines are from Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Myanmar, totaling about 11,254. All those who have failed to leave the country as required by the government have been placed on a watch list and will face deportation procedures. Once deported, they will be permanently blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines.
Despite this, not everyone wants to stay in the Philippines voluntarily; some foreign workers have their passports withheld by their former employers, posing certain obstacles to the advancement of deportation procedures and becoming a major challenge for the Philippine government. While the official data looks impressive, there are still doubts about the efficiency of the Philippine government's law enforcement.
Some critics believe that the government's crackdown is not thorough enough, especially in dealing with foreign workers who are still illegally staying in the Philippines, and the processing speed is too slow, which may take years to completely clear. Additionally, the relationship between some local governments in the Philippines and illegal POGO operators remains a focus of public attention, with some local officials suspected of condoning and sheltering these illegal activities, further exacerbating public dissatisfaction.
Yesterday, the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided an illegal POGO center in the Greater Manila area, which specialized in sports betting and investment scams targeting China and India. The operation resulted in the arrest of 453 suspects (including 137 Chinese nationals) and about 5 key leaders.
The head of PAOCC pointed out that there are still about 21,000 Chinese citizens in the Philippines involved in small-scale fraud activities, including money laundering, online scams, kidnapping, and even murder. The operational model of illegal POGO has also changed, with some small-scale criminal groups moving their operations to gated communities and apartments.
It is worth noting that the southern region of Metro Manila has become a major stronghold for illegal POGO, especially in Pasay, Parañaque, and Makati City.
Yesterday's raid operation also confirmed this speculation, and it's no wonder that officials in Pasay are being questioned for inaction.
PAOCC has publicly stated the potential responsibilities of Pasay city officials in the continued operation of these illegal enterprises, especially those involved in issuing mayor's permits, business licenses, and related documents.
It should be noted that shocking incidents such as A Rivendell (located at P. Zamora), Zun Yuan Technology (at the intersection of FB Harrison and William Street), Kimberhi Technology (3D Analyzer POGO operator), and the illegal POGO inside Heritage Hotel, all occurred in Pasay!
Upon hearing this, the female mayor of Pasay quickly retorted: the remarks are "baseless" and "damage the reputation of the municipal officials." She stated that the Pasay city government has never issued business licenses to any POGO, and the POGOs recently subjected to surprise inspections were operating illegally at concealed locations.
Meaning, these places have illegal POGOs, not because the Pasay government is inactive, but because they are too well-hidden.
Well, the main theme of the Philippine officials seems to be mutual accusations and internal strife!
Where are POGO personnel heading? Filipino personnel are going abroad, heading to Cambodia!
In the process of cracking down on POGO in the Philippines, not only Chinese foreign workers are involved, but also the country's own citizens. A recent report by the Bureau of Immigration shows that Philippine scam gangs recruit a large number of Filipino citizens to go to places like Cambodia to engage in scam activities through social media platforms such as Facebook.
These so-called job opportunities are often disguised as "online gambling" or "call centers," promising high salaries, but once the victims arrive at the destination, they fall into illegal activities such as cryptocurrency scams.
Ironically, the Philippine government had earlier stated that it would help unemployed POGO Filipino staff by providing job guidance and organizing job fairs. However, after several job fairs, the results were minimal! Low salary, poor benefits, who can stand it!
The great deportation from Myanmar, Cambodia may not be safe either!
The ban on POGO in the Philippines not only affects local public security but also triggers widespread attention both regionally and internationally. Especially after the Wang Xing incident, Southeast Asia has seen a wave of crackdowns on online fraud!
Currently, people in Myanmar and Thailand are feeling insecure. Just last night, a POGO office in a hotel in Thailand was raided! 20 computers, 12 mobile phones, cigarettes, and many untaxed imported goods were seized, and 16 Chinese were arrested!
Not to mention Myanmar, the deportation action has already started. Yesterday, the first batch of people took a flight back home, and today, the second batch has also departed, with nearly ten thousand people expected to be deported!
According to an anonymous netizen's submission, the bosses had already fled upon hearing the news. Before leaving, they gave netizens a choice: continue with the scam group to Cambodia, or stay in place, waiting for the Myanmar military government to hand them over to the Thai government, waiting to be deported back to their home country?
Even if Suu Kyi's influence is significant, she is ultimately a local snake. Facing the joint action of China, Thailand, and Myanmar, even if she can temporarily deal with some small fries, it is not a long-term solution!
Mawlamyine has already been "targeted," and being raided is just a matter of time!
And in the near future, Cambodia will also become Mawlamyine 2.0!
The prevalence of scam activities, especially online scams, has long been a major focus for Interpol and law enforcement agencies worldwide. Recently, the deportation of Chinese online fraud personnel has also sparked widespread discussion, indicating that the Philippine government is not only cracking down on domestic POGO issues but also assisting other countries in combating transnational crime networks.
The ban in the Philippines has led to the relocation of illegal POGO activities to neighboring countries, but the current deportation wave in Myanmar also confirms the need for enhanced coordination and cooperation in the Southeast Asian region in dealing with transnational fraud crimes.
As for whether Cambodia will strongly crack down on online fraud under China's pressure?
Firstly, in terms of economy and diplomacy, China is one of Cambodia's largest investors, and Cambodia is also involved in China's "Belt and Road" initiative. China's pressure may influence Cambodia's policies, but the complexity of cooperation between the two countries, especially in balancing economic interests and diplomatic policies, must also be considered.
Secondly, the attitude of the Cambodian government
Cambodia has expressed a "zero tolerance" attitude towards online fraud, but due to lax regulation, it has become a haven for some scam groups. In recent years, Cambodia has begun to strengthen its crackdown on online fraud, especially in cooperation with China to combat transnational online fraud crimes, showing a change in attitude.
Furthermore, international pressure and economic factors
As international and Chinese pressure increases, Cambodia gradually realizes the negative impact of online fraud on the country's image and economy. Although the online fraud industry brings short-term economic benefits, the damage to the national image prompts Cambodia to take action.
Although the reasons are complex, the editor believes that Cambodia is very likely to become the next focus of crackdown in the future!
But objectively speaking, for the Philippines, Myanmar, and Cambodia, countries that rely on foreign investment and where the POGO industry has deeply influenced the local economy, how to balance national security and economic development while cracking down on POGO will be a major issue to face!
