MANILA – By 2025, Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) will be completely eradicated in the Philippines, following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s full ban on these establishments. However, the government is preparing for potential “guerrilla operations” that may arise in response to the crackdown.
“All licenses are cancelled, so POGO-free tayo (we are POGO-free). Guerrilla operations will flourish but we will go after them,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated during a press briefing at the Palace on Wednesday.
In July, Marcos mandated the immediate cessation of POGO activities, citing their association with severe crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution, and murder. A complete phase-out is scheduled by December 31.
Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairperson Alejandro Tengco reported that only seven licensed POGOs remain, a significant drop from the 60 that operated in mid-2024 when the ban was initially announced. These remaining operators are working to meet the imposed deadline.
“Wala naman pong pasaway sa ating mga licensees. Sila po ay cooperating both with PAGCOR and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) (All our licensees are following the process. They are cooperating both with PAGCOR and the BI) and also DOLE (Department of Labor and Employment),” Tengco assured during the same briefing.
Meanwhile, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOOC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz expressed concerns that some former POGO employees might attempt to establish underground operations.
“Those who will dare to operate ng (on) January, huhulihin na ‘yan (they will be arrested),” Cruz warned, noting that law enforcement agencies are set to convene and strategize on eliminating illegal POGOs.
President Marcos met with Remulla, Tengco, and Cruz at Malacañang on Wednesday morning to discuss the final phase of shutting down POGOs. He directed officials to ensure that illegal operations would not resurface.
“Sa aming estima, madali silang mahanap, madali silang pigilin (The way we see it, they are easy to detect, and they are easy to stop). [According] to the President’s instruction, we will make it very difficult for them until they say ‘it is not worth operating in the Philippines’,” Remulla explained.
He also revealed plans to issue an order requiring local leaders to promptly report any suspicious activities tied to POGOs in their jurisdictions.
