Senator Risa Hontiveros raised concerns on Monday about the possible “rebranding” of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) following a recent raid on a gated compound in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu. The raid uncovered continued underground operations of POGOs despite President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s announcement of a total ban in his latest State of the Nation Address (SONA).
Responding to media inquiries, Hontiveros criticized the persistence of POGO activities and called on law enforcement agencies to enforce the President’s ban more strictly. “I am urging our law enforcement agencies to ensure the strict implementation of the President’s total ban. We must prevent a repeat of such schemes, including the various ‘rebranding’ of POGOs,” she stated.
Hontiveros expressed concerns about reports suggesting that POGOs might attempt to operate under new guises, such as call centers or within special economic zones. “There are reports that POGOs will supposedly operate as call centers or hide behind special economic zones, and other deceptive practices that should not be tolerated,” she added.
The senator emphasized the need to enforce the newly signed Republic Act No. 12010, or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA), in light of the recent raid in Cebu, where around 150 foreigners from China, Indonesia, and Myanmar were found. “These cunning scam hub operators are transnational… Under AFASA, this is economic sabotage,” Hontiveros noted. She also highlighted AFASA’s provision allowing the use of seized assets to protect victims, urging authorities to implement the law.
Hontiveros called for accountability for those involved in illegal POGO operations. “Those who make a living by taking advantage of others must be held accountable. To prevent future scams, we must ensure that justice is given to the victims,” she said. “We won’t allow the Philippines to be turned into a hub for scammers.”
In a separate statement, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian echoed the need for a deeper investigation into the illegal POGO operations, noting the discovery of former POGO workers from Bamban and Porac at the raided Cebu hub. “A deeper probe is clearly necessary. Despite the President’s clear directive for a total ban, some POGO operators and agents continue to flout the law by merely shifting their activities from one location to another,” Gatchalian said.
Gatchalian emphasized the importance of a coordinated effort among law enforcement agencies, PAGCOR, and local government units to crack down on illegal POGO activities and ensure compliance with the government’s directive. “The President’s message is clear: There should be no more thriving POGO operations in the country,” he stated.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced the ban on POGOs in his third SONA in July, instructing the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to wind down and cease all operations by the end of the year. A cost-benefit analysis by the Department of Finance (DOF) revealed that the POGO industry had a net cost of P99.52 billion to the Philippine economy, equivalent to 0.41% of the GDP in 2021.