The President of the Philippines' Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced that it will cooperate with the newly enacted "Anti-Online Gambling Organization Law" to carry out large-scale inspections nationwide, completely banning the existence of offshore gambling operators (POGO). This action shifts from targeting large parks in the past to small operating teams hidden in communities, covering Manila, Clark, Batangas, Cebu, and other places, focusing on cracking down on visa affiliations, identity fraud, and illegal stays. The Bureau of Immigration, police, and the National Bureau of Investigation are jointly involved, marking the Philippines' entry into a comprehensive rectification phase in the "post-POGO era," aimed at eliminating the gray economy chain and strengthening foreign identity compliance management.
Action Background and Enforcement Scope
The President of the Philippines' Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) announced that based on the newly enacted "Anti-Online Gambling Organization Law" (Republic Act No. 12312), it will carry out large-scale inspections nationwide, completely banning the existence of offshore gambling operators (POGO). The action covers major areas such as Manila, Clark, Batangas, and Cebu, shifting from concentrated enforcement in large parks to inspections of operations teams hidden in ordinary apartments, guesthouses, and small offices, emphasizing "carpet-style" indiscriminate checks.
Inspection Targets and Enforcement Methods
This inspection targets not only the POGO business itself but also related activities such as visa affiliations, illegal stays, and identity fraud. The Bureau of Immigration, police, and the National Bureau of Investigation are jointly involved, focusing on verifying the legality of foreigners' identities and employment backgrounds, especially paying attention to individuals and businesses that have employment, rental, or business dealings with POGO. The enforcement method focuses more on concealment and precision, locking targets through cross-data comparison to avoid the social impact of large-scale public actions.
Industry Impact and Public Suggestions
As the inspection deepens, there are phenomena of POGO-related businesses closing, apartments being vacated, and personnel withdrawing in many places. PAOCC states that this move is an overall rectification of the gray economy chain, aimed at completely ending the legacy issues of the "post-POGO era." Officials advise foreign nationals in the Philippines to avoid involvement in the gray industry, refuse visa affiliations, carefully select tenants and partners, and eliminate wishful thinking to cope with the continuously strengthened compliance regulatory environment.
