The Philippine government has stepped up its attempts to prevent illegal offshore gaming. In order to ensure compliance with a statewide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), local officials are now required to conduct detailed inspections of company establishments.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order banning all POGO operations by the end of 2024, which is followed by this directive.
Heightened Inspections Following Major Raid
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla recently called on local chief executives (LCEs) to bolster their vigilance after a raid in Parañaque City exposed illegal operations. The January 8 operation by the Bureau of Immigration led to the arrest of nearly 400 foreigners linked to activities resembling POGO operations, described by the Philippine News Agency as a “scam hub.”
“This is a message to all LCEs,” Remulla emphasized, urging them to thoroughly inspect all business premises in their jurisdiction. He also announced plans to seek clarification from the Parañaque City government regarding the detected illegal activity.
To reinforce compliance, a January 2 memorandum instructed local government units (LGUs) to work with the Philippine National Police to uncover and eliminate hidden offshore gaming operations.
The crackdown comes with warnings for local officials failing to act. Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission highlighted that negligence won’t be tolerated. “Local officials cannot claim ignorance of such operations if they occur within their communities,” Cruz stated.
This sentiment was underscored by recent cases filed against LCEs for their alleged inability to curb POGO-related activities.
The Bureau of Immigration revealed that approximately 11,000 foreign workers associated with offshore gaming operators had not left the Philippines by the December 31 deadline. However, over 22,600 workers exited the country before the ban took effect.
With these stringent measures, the government aims to restore order and ensure adherence to the newly enforced prohibition.
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