Workers from large Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (Pogos) have reorganized into smaller units to evade law enforcement, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealed on Tuesday, October 15, 2024. NBI Director Jaime Santiago stated that these workers, previously employed by large-scale Pogos, have moved their operations to residential units and apartments to avoid detection.
Speaking at a press conference, Santiago said, “Para hindi mahalata na Pogo pa rin yun (to avoid detection that it’s still a Pogo). To continue their scamming activities.” His remarks came after the recent arrest of 17 foreign nationals found operating from a residential unit-turned-office in Makati City. The individuals, who had once worked for larger Pogos, were reportedly involved in hacking, love scams, and cryptocurrency-related fraud.
The reorganization of Pogo workers into smaller units follows a government crackdown on illegal offshore gaming operations, which has driven these groups underground. Santiago explained that these former employees have continued their illicit activities in smaller, more dispersed groups, making it harder for authorities to track them down.
The situation has raised significant concerns for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), which has been closely monitoring the underground Pogo networks. According to PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio, there are approximately 100 illegal Pogo hubs still operating across the Philippines.
“Our real problem is with those who were illegal from the start. From the very beginning, they were already underground. That’s the issue now because we’re chasing them all over the country,” Casio said. He noted that these operations, which used to employ hundreds or even thousands of workers, have now split into smaller groups, which has only made their presence more widespread.
“Yung hamon talaga ay napakaraming nagunderground (The real challenge is that many have gone underground),” Casio added. He emphasized that the disintegration of large Pogo operations into smaller units has made it more difficult for authorities to catch up with them.
Despite the challenges, Casio reassured the public that the government’s task force would continue its efforts to shut down these illegal operations. “If there are still some left after December 31, the mandate of our task force will continue. We will still pursue them and shut them down,” he said.
The crackdown comes as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered a nationwide ban on Pogos, set to take effect on January 1, 2024. This decision follows a series of high-profile discoveries of illegal Pogo operations in Tarlac and Pampanga, which exposed the involvement of these groups in human trafficking, scamming, hacking, surveillance of government websites, and even violent crimes such as kidnapping and murder.
The ongoing crackdown on Pogos marks a critical turning point in the government’s fight against illegal offshore gaming operations. While the shift to smaller units has complicated the enforcement process, authorities remain committed to dismantling these criminal networks and ensuring that the January 2024 ban is fully enforced.
As the deadline approaches, the NBI and other law enforcement agencies are stepping up their efforts to close down these underground operations and hold those responsible accountable. However, with the sheer number of illegal Pogos still in operation, the road ahead remains challenging.
