Recently, the Philippines launched a raid operation to combat illegal offshore gambling (POGO) operations. Law enforcement officers raided a five-story building, the PITX building, to check the identities of about 400 workers and confirm their involvement in illegal activities.
This move is part of the Philippine government's efforts to strengthen the crackdown on illegal POGO, aimed at curbing the expanding illegal gambling activities in recent years and addressing the resulting issues of telecommunications fraud and human trafficking among other transnational crimes.
Currently, the investigation is still ongoing, and those involved may face the risk of deportation or legal prosecution. Relevant departments stated that they are further verifying the operational status of the building and tracking the criminal network behind it to ensure substantial progress in the crackdown.
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration also stated that it will expedite the deportation process to eliminate illegal foreign workers as soon as possible. A spokesperson for the immigration bureau pointed out: "The sooner these illegal workers leave, the better the security and stability of Philippine society can be ensured."
As illegal POGO operations become rampant, the Philippine government is adopting a more decisive attitude in addressing this issue. This raid is not only a strong strike against the transnational criminal network but also lays a solid foundation for the long-term security of Philippine society.
