Philippine National Police Chief vows to shut down offshore gaming operations amid concerns over cybercrime and human trafficking
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has pledged to dismantle all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s January 1, 2025 deadline. PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil praised police efforts following a recent raid on what authorities have dubbed Manila’s “mother of all scam centers.”
Despite the crackdown, intelligence indicates that 111 illegal Pogo hubs continue to operate across the country. “This operation is a testament to the dedication of our PNP-ACG personnel, whose relentless pursuit of justice has exposed and disrupted a significant hub of criminal activity linked to online scams, illegal gambling, and human trafficking,” said Marbil. He stressed that authorities have two months to clear the nation of these illegal operations.
The PNP-ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group), in collaboration with the National Capital Region Police Office, conducted a high-profile raid on October 29. The operation led to the arrest of 69 foreign nationals allegedly linked to cyber scams and human trafficking. The 40-story Century Peak Tower in Manila’s Adriatico district reportedly served as a major Pogo hub, sheltering hundreds involved in illegal activities. Those detained included 34 Indonesians, 10 Malaysians, and 25 Chinese nationals, all allegedly participating in cryptocurrency and romance scams.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna commended the police for the operation, emphasizing the importance of public safety. However, the raid was met with criticism from the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (Paocc), which claimed it was not consulted and labeled the release of foreign nationals as flawed. “We never release any foreign national caught in Pogos because all our operations are always properly coordinated with the DOJ-Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Bureau of Immigration,” a Paocc spokesperson remarked.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI), which declined custody of the detainees, said it remains in communication with the PNP regarding the formal turnover. “Following established procedures and protocols, the BI awaits the necessary documentation from the PNP to initiate the formal turnover process, as has been previously communicated,” the BI stated, outlining that necessary documents, such as affidavits of arrest, are required for the detainees’ handover.
The raid revealed that Century Peak Tower had allegedly become a haven for undocumented Pogo workers following the closure of similar operations nationwide, including a controversial hub in Bamban, Tarlac, previously associated with former Mayor Alice Guo. Authorities suspect that workers continued their operations from this high-rise location after earlier shutdowns.
In a statement, Marbil highlighted the PNP’s determination to combat illegal Pogos, noting that their actions underscore a commitment to disrupt criminal networks that threaten public safety. “This operation not only exposes the vast reach of illegal Pogo activities but also reinforces the unwavering resolve of law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks, uphold public safety, and preserve the rule of law in every sector of cyber enforcement,” he said.
The operation has exposed a rift among agencies responsible for anti-crime enforcement. Paocc’s criticism raises questions about coordination among law enforcement bodies tasked with overseeing Pogos and other cybercrime operations. Paocc officials emphasized that they had no involvement in the Century Peak Tower raid and urged the public not to associate their agency with what they described as a “flawed operation.”
Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, who leads Paocc, joined a subsequent raid on October 31 at Central One Bataan PH Inc. in Bagac, Bataan. Conducted with the PNP Special Action Force and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the raid uncovered operations allegedly linked to online gambling and cryptocurrency scams, despite Central One holding a business process outsourcing license. “Based on intelligence reports, 111 illegal Pogo hubs have yet to cease operations,” said Paocc spokesperson Winston Casio.
In his July State of the Nation Address, President Marcos called for Pogos to shut down by December 31, citing their ties to criminal activities including human trafficking, kidnapping, and even murder. His directive followed raids on illegal Pogo centers in Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga, which uncovered evidence of serious crimes disguised as legitimate business activities.
As the deadline approaches, the PNP is racing to clear the country of illegal Pogos. This intensified crackdown aims to end the disorder attributed to these operations, setting a precedent for stronger cybercrime enforcement in the Philippines.