PAOCC: Over 150 smaller scale POGOs being monitored amid looming shutdown

More than 150 smaller scale Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are being monitored amid the pending shutdown of such businesses by the yearend, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said on Friday.

“Sa ngayon po, mayroon na lang tayong natitira, sa record ng PAGCOR na mga 20 na lang po na hinihintay natin totally magsara, yung  kulang-kulang 20,” said PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz in Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon.

(As of now, based on PAGCOR’s record, there are some 20 POGOs that we are waiting to totally close down.)

“But yung mga  tinitignan natin, yung mga mino-monitor natin na mag-o-operate despite the pronouncement ni President, mayroon pa po tayong nasa mahigit na 150 plus pa po,” he added.

(But we are monitoring over 150 others that still operate despite the president’s pronouncement of a total ban.)

These smaller POGOs actually originated from the bigger firms that were raided by law enforcers amid the call of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in July to ban them due to reports of illicit activities.

“Ito yung mga sinasabi nating nanggaling sa mga malaking POGOhan, ito po ay nag-turn into smaller scale POGO operations. Yung ibang lumipat dun sa mga maliliit na resorts, condominiums, sa mga gated houses, ayun pa yung ibang tinitignan pa natin,” said Cruz.

(These originated from bigger POGOs which turned into smaller scale operations. Some of them moved their businesses in resorts, condominiums, and gated houses.)

Marcos earlier called on authorities to  launch smaller but multiple operations against POGOs that continue to exist in the country despite the total ban.

As of November 29, government data showed that there were 53,700 canceled offshore gaming employment licenses; 18 internet gambling licensees voluntarily cancelling their licenses; and 27 IGLs in the process of winding down their operations.

During his State of the Nation Address last July, Marcos announced the banning of POGOs after these operations had been linked to serious crimes.

Last November, Marcos signed Executive Order 74 ordering the ban on POGOs, internet gaming licenses, and other offshore gaming operations in the country. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News