Pasay officials probed over illegal POGO

Casio back as PAOCC spokesman after viral slap

MANILA, Philippines — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is looking into the possible criminal liability of some Pasay officials over the continued presence of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in the city.

Four establishments in Pasay believed to be operating as POGO hubs were raided by authorities, according to PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio.

“We’re conducting an investigation, together with the Department of Justice and the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government),” Casio told Malacañang reporters.

Raided by authorities were SA Rivendell, Zun Yuan Technology, Kimberhi Technology 3D Analyzer POGO and the Heritage Hotel, all in Pasay.

PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz said the agency would recommend the closure of Heritage Hotel after a POGO hub being run by South Koreans was found in the hotel.

Six South Koreans and 15 Filipino employees were apprehended during the operation.

Personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and National Bureau of Investigation also raided the Ri Rance Tower in Parañaque for housing a POGO facility, Casio said.

He said Pasay officials should explain why these illegal POGOs were issued mayor’s and business permits.

“We are doing case buildups against some local chief executives in southern Metro Manila because most of the raided POGOs are located here,” Casio said.

“We are calling on the mayors of Pasay, Parañaque and Makati to help us get rid of illegal POGOs,” he added.

In November last year, President Marcos issued Executive Order 74, banning POGOs, internet gaming and other offshore gaming operations.

Casio, who was reinstated as PAOCC spokesman, said the government has spent P210 million since it started the crackdown on POGOs in May 2023.

Casio was relieved from his post in November last year after he was recorded in a viral video slapping a Filipino worker during a raid on a POGO hub in Bagac, Bataan.

Casio said he had to undergo anger management following the incident.

“I’m also under medication to control my temper,” he said.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval noted that POGO workers are now working in “smaller groups” and in gated communities such as condominiums and residences.

Up to 11,254 foreign nationals who worked in POGO companies accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. are still in the country, Sandoval said.

She said the remaining foreign POGO workers – mostly Vietnamese, Chinese, Indonesian and Myanmar nationals – would be deported and blacklisted. — Emmanuel Tupas