The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) remains focused on its crackdown against small-scale Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) operations, also known as "guerilla operations."
In an exclusive interview on the program Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon aired on Tuesday, PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz revealed that based on their monitoring, these groups are renting resorts, apartments, or houses within subdivisions that they can solely occupy.
"Nagtatago pa rin sila doon sa mga legitimate na negosyo like 'yung call centers," Cruz mentioned.
"Kasi 'yung isang mayor na nakausap ko ang sabi, ang pakiusap raw sa kanya call center ang itatayo niya. Pero nagulat na lang siya, nakasunod na 'yung dalawang truck ng equipment na mga computers, mga cables, mga office equipments. Nagduda na siya kaya ni-report niya sa amin," he added.
Cruz also pointed out that while most of these operations are concentrated in Metro Manila, there are now reports of similar activities in Northern Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.
Moreover, the PAOCC expresses confidence in its ability to curb these operations, citing strong coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The Executive Director further noted that having the support of local government units (LGUs) is a vital step forward, still in accordance with the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.