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 scrutinize businesses suspected of being fronts for Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGOs). 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 combat 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 masking their true activities. He stressed the importance of enhancing intelligence efforts, with support from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, to uncover any hidden POGO hubs. This initiative aligns with the broader national effort, as urged by Secretary Remulla during a recent Commission on Appointments hearing, to ensure that businesses are not secretly operating as POGOs, thereby tackling illegal gaming and scam operations nationwide.
