The Philippines has once again taken a major step in regulating the offshore gaming (POGO) industry. Recently, 89 foreign nationals involved in telecommunications fraud, including individuals from Vietnam, South Korea, and China, were deported. However, this deportation is just the tip of the iceberg in a massive crackdown—about 800 detained individuals are still held in a detention center in Pasay City, Manila, awaiting complex exit procedures.
Once a "cash cow," has POGO now become a hot potato?
POGO was once a significant engine for the Philippine economy, attracting numerous Chinese companies and foreign workers. However, as the industry expanded, various negative incidents such as telecommunications fraud, illegal detention, money laundering, kidnapping, and forced labor have turned POGO from a sought-after sector into a "social cancer."
After the pandemic, the Philippines faced increased financial pressures and lax regulation, leading to unchecked growth in the industry. By the end of 2024, the Marcos Jr. administration drastically changed its stance, establishing the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) led by the president himself, to comprehensively crackdown on illegal POGO operations.
Slow deportation progress: Complex procedures and cumbersome coordination
Although some individuals have been successfully deported, a large queue remains due to various reasons:
Each person must undergo identity verification by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI);
Deportation procedures require confirmation letters from the embassies of the respective countries;
Arranging the cost of plane tickets also poses a significant barrier—some countries have yet to agree to bear the deportation costs.
"Dog pushing" phenomenon: Deceived or voluntary? The truth is polarized
Not all detainees are innocent. Some were lured by "high-paying jobs," had their passports confiscated, communication tools seized, and were forced to work over 18 hours a day, even facing beatings if they did not meet standards. However, many were aware that telecommunications fraud is an illegal gray industry but still willingly "fell into the trap"—the allure of high salaries combined with domestic employment pressures led many to take the risk.
"Take a gamble, a bicycle turns into a motorcycle," reflects the mindset of many young people heading to Southeast Asia to engage in "dog pushing."
Returning home is not necessarily a relief: Legal sanctions await
Many believe that being deported back to their country equates to release, but this is not the case. Many are taken away by the Chinese police upon arrival, facing criminal penalties and even imprisonment. Therefore, some prefer to stay in the Philippines or move to countries with weaker law enforcement like Cambodia or Myanmar to continue their fraudulent activities.
For these individuals, "freedom" was lost the moment they chose to walk the gray path.
The Alice Guo case reveals a political-business nexus: Just the beginning of the purge?
The POGO crackdown also affects local politics. Former Mayor Alice Guo of Banban City was accused of being deeply involved in illegal gambling activities, even allegedly manipulating government affairs and providing protection for criminal groups, leading to her removal and prosecution. A Chinese businessman, suspected of being a gambling financier and denied citizenship by the president, is also believed to be closely linked to the POGO dark money network.
Various signs indicate that the gambling purge is not only a rectification of the illegal economy but may also affect the complex web of local power and black industry.
Conclusion: A long road to cleanup, the truth remains to be unveiled
The deportation of 89 individuals is just a minor part of a vast prohibition. From the complex deportation mechanisms to the intricate gray chains and the dark ties of political-business collusion, how far the Philippines can go in regulating the POGO industry remains to be seen. And behind this struggle, more stories are waiting to be revealed.
