PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to dismantle all illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs within the final two months of the year.
Commending the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for its recent operation at Century Peak Tower in Manila—described as the “mother of all scam hubs”—Marbil emphasized the urgency of clearing the nation of illegal POGOs.
“We have two months to go to eliminate these illegal POGO operations,” he stated.
In his State of the Nation Address last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered the total shutdown of the POGO industry by year-end, highlighting its harmful societal impact and links to criminal activities, including human trafficking, investment scams, and romance scams.
Last week, the PNP-ACG raided Vertex Technology Corporation, a suspected hub for love and cryptocurrency scams, arresting 69 foreign nationals – 34 Indonesians, 25 Chinese, and 10 Malaysians – during the operation.
“This operation not only uncovers the extensive reach of illegal POGO activities but also affirms law enforcement’s resolve to dismantle criminal networks, uphold public safety, and maintain the rule of law across cyber enforcement,” said Marbil.
He praised the ACG for its dedication, calling the successful court-sanctioned operation a “testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by our PNP-ACG personnel, who have disrupted a significant criminal network linked to online scams, illegal gambling, and human trafficking.”
Charges will be filed against those involved in the raided operation as forensic analysis of the seized evidence continues, Marbil confirmed. He also noted that the PNP’s efforts to close all POGO operations will be coordinated with other agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna praised the PNP’s commitment to public safety, calling their actions a crucial step in protecting Manila’s communities from illegal activities linked to cybercrime and exploitation, according to a PNP Public Information Office (PIO) statement. Gen. Marbil welcomed the mayor’s full support for the PNP’s continued efforts to eradicate illegal POGO-related activities in the city.
Meanwhile, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) conducted a separate raid at a POGO hub in Bagac, Bataan, last Thursday, detaining 57 foreign nationals and 358 Filipinos.
