MANILA, Philippines – Despite a government-ordered ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), their leaders remain in the country, continuing illegal activities such as kidnapping and scams, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian revealed over the weekend.
Key Concerns:
- Some POGO bosses are hiding in the country instead of returning to China, where regulations are stricter.
- The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) estimates that around 10,650 POGO-related foreign nationals are still in the Philippines, despite the deportation of 2,000 workers.
- Authorities have conducted raids and rescues since February 13, targeting Chinese kidnapping syndicates linked to POGOs.
Government Crackdown on POGOs
In July 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the total ban of POGOs by the end of the year, citing their “grave abuse” of the country’s laws. However, reports indicate that POGO bosses continue to operate underground, engaging in “pocket scams” and even kidnapping a child in recent incidents.
Authorities, including the NBI and PNP, are ramping up efforts to neutralize these groups and ensure full compliance with the POGO ban.