CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government is continuing its crackdown against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) or POGO-like activities in the city.
This as the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) has issued a letter informing all cities of a list of companies that have to be investigated in line with the crackdown of POGO and POGO-like activities.
According to Garcia, he received a formal letter from LCP acting president, Mayor Joy Belmonte, which is also in line with the directive of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the announcement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in July this year for all POGO activities in the country to stop.
Prior the LCP memo though, Garcia reiterated that a task force to monitor POGO and POGO-like activities was already formed in Cebu City composed of the police and members of the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO).
Garcia added that the city’s Task Force found that some already shut down operations and were already occupied with other types of businesses.
"When you talk of POGO and POGO-like operations nga legal...wa na gyud ni nag operate diri sa Cebu City. However, ako lang i-clarify kay naa may illegal nga POGO-like operations which are under the radar," he said.
Garcia further said that both local police and the PNP are focusing on the POGO and POGO-like activities that are under the radar.
Aside from this, the Cebu City Council also intervened through a resolution filed by Councilor Rey Gealon to investigate POGO-like activities in particular.
This includes POGO-like activities fronting as customer assistance operations, among others.
Based on information from Garcia and data provided by the BPLO, at least 40,000 establishments in Cebu City are registered and there are currently no active or legal POGO operators. — (FREEMAN)