Cebu City’s Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia has confirmed that the city is actively following the instructions from Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla to monitor and curb Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs) that masquerade as legitimate businesses. In response to Remulla’s directive, which calls for local leaders to halt illegal POGO and scam operations, Mayor Garcia emphasized that a task force, led by the Cebu City Police Office, was established prior to the order to tackle POGO activities within the city. So far, no such operations have been detected. Despite this, the task force has inspected various businesses that resemble POGO operations but found no irregularities. Mayor Garcia remains vigilant, acknowledging the possibility that some establishments might be operating under the cover of legitimate businesses. To address this, the local police are intensifying their intelligence efforts to uncover any hidden POGO hubs. As part of the broader national effort under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Garcia stressed the importance of enhancing intelligence operations with support from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police. Remulla’s call for vigilance came during a Commission on Appointments hearing, where he highlighted the need for regular checks on businesses to prevent them from operating as POGOs, aiming to eradicate all illegal gaming and scam operations nationwide. Remulla pointed out that some POGOs deceitfully obtain permits by posing as resorts or restaurants to mask their illegal activities.
