The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has set a goal to completely eliminate all illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of 2025. Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, the PAOCC’s Executive Director, shared this ambition during a recent Saturday News Forum in Quezon City. Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s ban on POGOs in January, only a small number of these operations remain active, mostly on a reduced scale.
Cruz emphasized that the ultimate goal is to achieve a ‘zero POGO’ status in the Philippines. He noted that these operators have shifted to smaller venues like apartments and hotel rooms, driven by the lucrative nature of their business despite the intensified crackdown. Cruz expressed hope that within the year, the operations of illegal POGOs could be significantly reduced or completely halted.
Recent actions by the PAOCC included the rescue of 34 Indonesians from a POGO hub in Pasay, where they were allegedly forced into fraudulent activities. The rescued individuals reported being coerced by their Chinese supervisors, who threatened to withhold their passports unless they repaid loans. The company involved had plans to relocate to Cambodia, where they believed operations would be less restricted.
In another operation, the PAOCC rescued a Chinese national, Wang Ye Fu, who had been kidnapped and showed signs of torture. Investigations revealed disturbing videos on the kidnappers’ phones, depicting acts of violence against other foreigners. Cruz highlighted the increasing audacity and brutality of these criminals, noting that they now operate without local accomplices, using their own enforcers.
Cruz urged families with missing relatives suspected to be involved with illegal POGOs to contact the PAOCC, as they continue efforts to identify victims shown in the torture videos.