PNP warns aliens against reviving Pogos
Despite the nationwide ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) hubs, some foreigners are trying to get around the law by operating underground, Philippine National Police acting chief Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said on Monday.
“We are seeing a trend in which some foreign nationals continue to try to set up underground operations despite the national ban. We are coordinating with the BI (Bureau of Immigration), NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), and DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) to further step up our monitoring,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is also coordinating with foreign counterparts to investigate the possibility that some of the illegal operators may have links to larger criminal groups outside of the country.
“Currently, there are strong indicators that some illegal Pogos or IGL (Internet Gaming Licensees) operators are connected to larger transnational cybercrime groups. This is not just simple illegal gambling, it is likely to involve online fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and other cyber-enabled crimes,” Nartatez said.
The PNP is intensifying its efforts to shut down the illegal Pogo hubs, particularly through its intelligence and search efforts, as mandated by President Marcos in his executive order.
President’s orders
“The instruction to us is clear: Identify, validate and shut down all the remaining Pogos, particularly those that hide behind the names of BPOs (business process outsourcing) or IT (information technology) solution companies. We have been complying, and we will continue to do so until all of them are gone,” Nartatez said.
“If there are still individuals or groups planning to run Pogo-like operations, they should stop because we will find you, we will shut you down, and we will file the strongest possible charges,” he warned.
The PNP, according to Nartatez, will not allow the country to be used for illegal operations that will undermine its security, economy and reputation.
During his State of the Nation Address on July 22, 2024, President Marcos declared a Pogo ban due to crimes linked to them, such as human trafficking, online scams and torture.
Four months later, he issued Executive Order No. 74, which imposed an immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming, citing risks posed by Pogo operations in the country.
On Oct. 23 this year, Mr. Marcos signed into law Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-Pogo Act of 2025, which declares all offshore gaming operations in the country unlawful.
