PAOCC: BPOs could be next Pogo victims

FILE: BUSINESS AS USUAL Authorities discover a Philippine offshore gaming operator, still operating and well-staffed, in a raid in Pasay City on Thursday, despite the ban ordered by President Marcos on July 22. —Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission

The country’s multibillion-dollar business process outsourcing sector could be the next victim of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime (PAOCC) Commission Director Winnie Quidato warned on Tuesday, as the Senate wrapped up its investigation on Pogo-related crimes.

Quidato said Pogos had been renting homes in residential villages after they splintered into smaller groups to avoid being detected by authorities.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros said she had received information that Pogo firms were conducting “guerrilla scam operations.”