A politician in the Philippines has called for the shutdown of any remaining Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs) to be accelerated.
Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Representative Rufus Rodriguez on Sunday called on DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos to immediately shut down the remaining 200 illegal Philippine Offshore Gambling Operators (POGOs), as ordered by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
This appeal followed revelations from Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz that hundreds of underground POGOs remain active.
“Secretary Abalos should instruct the PNP to enforce the President’s directive and close these illegal POGOs,” said Rodriguez.
President Marcos had banned POGOs during his State of the Nation Address last July, with legal ones set to cease operations by year-end.
According to the nation’s gaming regulator PAGCOR, there were initially around 400 illegal POGO operators. Law enforcement agencies have successfully shut down major hubs in areas like Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga.
However, Rodriguez expressed concern that many operators continue to defy the President’s order. “This must be enforced strictly by Secretaries Abalos and Remulla,” he stressed.
Rodriguez emphasized the need for coordination between the PNP, NBI, DICT, and telecommunications companies. He pointed out that POGOs utilize internet and mobile phone services, which could provide clues to their locations.
Authorities previously discovered thousands of SIM cards inside the illegal POGO hub in Porac, suggesting that it should not be difficult for technology-equipped agencies to track these activities.
PAOCC’s Cruz stated that illegal POGOs have downsized their operations, making them harder to locate. Rodriguez urged Cruz to share information with law enforcement agencies to speed up efforts.
“We cannot wait for President BBM to become frustrated over the defiance of his directive by illegal POGOs,” Rodriguez concluded.
