CEBU, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla assured that law enforcement entities will continue to hunt down all illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) even after the closure of all remaining ones starting today, December 15.
Together with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, the DILG through the Philippine National Police), and the local government units will scour potential areas to put an end to illegal POGOs.
Remulla said that he will order local chief executives to report suspicious activities about potential illegal POGOs in their areas.
“Ganito iyan, two parts iyan: All licenses are cancelled --so POGO-free tayo; guerilla operations will flourish but we will go after them,” Remulla said earlier.
Remulla disclosed some indicators of possible illegal POGO operations in the community.
“Malalaman iyan sa spike bigla ng bandwidth use, entry of suspicious people congregating in houses not registered as businesses. So, they are enjoined to report immediately sa amin para malaman namin at makagawa kami ng aksiyon,” he added.
Remulla is confident that said that by 2025, he would be able to categorically say that the Philippines will be POGO-free as all licenses will be cancelled in adherence to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
“As per the president’s instructions, we will make it very difficult for them until they say that it is no longer worth operating in the Philippines,” Remulla stressed.
All POGO operations are banned in the country following President Marcos’ announcement in his third State of the Nation Address and the issuance of Executive Order No. 74 which mandates the cessation of operations by December 31 of this year.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alejandro Tengco also announced middle of this week that licenses of remaining POGOs will be revoked today. He also clarified that there will also be no renewal of permits for the subsequent year.
“Wala pong mayroon lisensiya pagtungtong po ng Jan. 1, 2025… So, kung mayroon pa diyang nagsasabi na sila ay nagpapatuloy na maghanapbuhay o (magconduct) ng operation dahil mayroon silang valid PAGCOR license, hindi po totoo ‘yun,” he added.