A recent Senate committee report has raised alarms about the ongoing threat posed by criminal syndicates associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), despite their official ban. The report, presented by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros, underscores the adaptability of these criminal networks, which have shifted their operations to new sectors such as casinos and special economic zones.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, emphasized in her speech that the ban on POGOs was a necessary step, but the battle against related criminal activities is far from over. The report detailed how these syndicates have evolved, now using cover operations to continue their illegal activities, including human trafficking, financial crimes, and threats to national security.
The investigation revealed that former POGO operations have infiltrated other industries, with casinos and special economic zones becoming new hubs for these activities. The report also highlighted the role of dismissed Bamban mayor Alice Guo in facilitating the licensing of POGO-related businesses, raising concerns about potential corruption among public officials.
Evidence uncovered by the committee showed that scam hubs and illegal financial activities have migrated to legal businesses, with casinos and integrated resorts now serving as bases for former POGO actors. Special economic zones are being exploited for scam operations and cryptocurrency transactions, which are used to launder money from online fraud and trafficking.
Hontiveros reported that former POGO employees are being relocated to a casino in Parañaque, living in conditions similar to those in previous POGO setups. The committee recommended criminal prosecution of officials involved in POGO-linked corruption and the enactment of permanent legislation to ban all forms of offshore gaming, including those under PAGCOR-licensed junket agreements.
Senator Joel Villanueva, a proponent of the POGO ban, stressed the need for stricter oversight of government agencies, pointing out the erosion of governance, security, and national integrity caused by POGO operations. The report’s findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive measures to prevent the resurgence of POGO-linked crimes under different guises.