DILG's Remulla: Guerilla POGO ops to flourish but gov't to run after them

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor ''Jonvic'' Remulla Jr. on Wednesday said POGO guerilla operations would flourish but he vowed that the government will run after them.

''Guerilla operations will flourish but we will go after them,'' Remulla said at a Palace press briefing when asked if the country will be POGO-free by 2025.

Earlier, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) announced that there would be no POGOs operating in the country by the end of 2024.

PAGCOR chairperson Alejandro Tengco said that by January 1, 2025, any POGOs still functioning—including those in the provinces—would be deemed illegal due to the cancellation of their licenses.

In the same briefing, Tengco said all POGO licenses would be revoked by December 15 of this year.

''Sa December 15, kanselado na po ang lahat so liliwanagin lang po naming tatlo dito, wala pong may lisensya pag tuntong po ng January 1, 2025,'' Tengco said.

(By December 15, all POGO licenses will be revoked.)

Rogue POGOs

For his part, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission executive director Gilbert Cruz said authorities are running after POGO operations in at least four areas, including in Mimaropa.

Cruz also said those POGO operators who will continue with their operations by January will be arrested. He noted that at least a hundred ''rogue'' POGOs continue their operations.

''So iyan iyong  mga rogue POGOs na tinatawag namin, na mga dating POGO workers iyan na nagsama-sama tapos gumawa ng maliit na POGO hub o POGO operation sa isang bahay, puwedeng ito ay sa isang apartment, puwede sa isang resort—yeah, sa hotel,'' Cruz said.

(These were the rogue POGOs or previous POGO workers who work together to build small POGO hubs such as those situated in residences, apartments, resorts, and hotels.)

'No significant dent'

When it comes to the Philippine economy, Remulla said the banning of POGO operations in the country will not make a significant dent when it comes to the Philippine economy.

“As per NEDA, .25 of 1% of total GDP (gross domestic product) ang maaapektuhan. We don’t see a significant dent sa economy natin,” Remulla said.

“I think ma-make up naman ‘yan sa mga iba pang mga revenue enhancing measures ng Department of Finance,” he added.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) earlier said the government is expected to lose at least P20 billion annually due to the complete shutdown of POGO operations in the country.

During his third State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs after several operators were implicated in crimes such as human trafficking, illegal detention, and financial scams.

Marcos signed Executive Order No. 74, which extends the ban to include illegal offshore gaming operations, new license applications, license renewals, and any ongoing operations. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News