The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it will focus on cracking down on small-scale Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) as the country approaches the total ban on POGOs by the end of the year.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH's Special on Saturday, PAOCC Executive Director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz stated that the ideal situation would be for all POGOs to cease operations in the country by December 31, but the agency believes this may not be the case.
"‘Yung iba dyan talagang magsasamantala pa. ‘Yun ‘yung hinahabol natin ‘yung mga magtatayo ng maliliit at small scale na mga POGO operations," Cruz stated.
Cruz pointed out that the agency holds lists of former licensed POGOs and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), enabling easier monitoring and tracking of these operations.
He also acknowledged that their priority is to target colorum operations or those that might resort to 'guerilla' tactics. The PAOCC, in collaboration with local government units (LGUs), will focus on addressing these emerging schemes.
"‘Yan po ang pinag-usapan namin sir na pagtulong-tulungan po natin kasi sabi nga ng Presidente, hindi naman po mag-eexist ‘yan kung talagang tututukan po ng mga local government executives," said Cruz.
The small-scale operations referred to are those former POGOs that have shifted to smaller operations, often found in resorts, gated subdivisions, and condominiums.
Meanwhile, Cruz reported that the working visas of foreign POGO workers have been downgraded to tourist visas, meaning they are no longer allowed to work in the country.
PAOCC is planning an operation, likely on December 17, to inspect a POGO located in the CALABARZON area.
"Kasi nareport na po ‘yan na sarado na po ‘yan but kailangan po nating kumpirmahin so kasama po natin ang buthing SILG natin at kasama na rin po ‘yung ibang myembro ng technical working group kahit ‘yung PNP, ‘yung NBI, ‘yung PAOCC, even ‘yung local government units na nakakasakop diyan, talagang sama-sama na po kami at titignan namin ‘yan," Cruz mentioned.
What will happen to the buildings vacated once POGOs cease their operations?
The PAOCC Executive Director mentioned that in most of the POGOs raided by their agency, the government now oversees the security of the buildings.
Vacated POGO buildings are typically guarded by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and placed under a preservation order, with forfeiture cases already filed.
