No POGOs by year-end: PNP

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PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday reiterated the commitment of the police force to dismantle all illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs during the last two months of this year.

Marbil made the remarks as he commended the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for dismantling a suspected POGO hub, described as the “mother of all scam hubs,” at the Century Peak Tower in Manila on Tuesday last week.

“We have two months to go to clear the country of these illegal POGOs,” said Marbil.

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President Marcos Jr, during his State of the Nation Address last July, ordered the total shutdown of the POGO industry by the end of this year.

In ordering the closure of all POGO facilities across the country, the President cited the ill effects of their operation to society, particularly the proliferation of industry-related criminal activities such as human trafficking, investment scams, and love scams, among others.

Last week, PNP-ACG operatives raided the Vertex Technology Corporation, which has been reported to be involved in love and cryptocurrency scam, and arrested 69 foreign nationals – 34 Indonesians, 25 Chinese and 10 Malaysians – during the operation.

“This operation not only exposes the vast reach of illegal POGO activities but also reinforces the unwavering resolve of law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks, uphold public safety, and preserve the rule of law in every sector of cyber enforcement,” said Marbil.

Marbil said the successful operation, which was conducted by virtue of a warrant issued by a Manila court, showed the dedication of the ACG in ending all forms of cybercrimes.

“This operation is a testament to the dedication of our PNP-ACG personnel, whose relentless pursuit of justice has exposed and disrupted a significant hub of criminal activity linked to online scams, illegal gambling, and human trafficking,” he said.

He also said the PNP will be filing charges against the people involved in the operation of the raided firm as “forensic analysis” of the seized evidence continues.

Marbil said PNP efforts to end all POGO operations will be conducted in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna has praised the PNP for its “unwavering commitment to public safety and the rule of law,” the PNP Public Information Office (PIO) said.

“Mayor Lacuna acknowledged the PNP’s swift and decisive action as a vital step in safeguarding Manila’s communities from illegal activities linked to cybercrime, human trafficking, and other forms of exploitation,” the PIO said in a statement.

“Gen. Marbil welcomed the local chief executive’s pledge of full support for continued efforts to shut down all illegal POGO-related activities throughout the city,” it added.

On Thursday, operatives of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) also raided a POGO hub in Bagac. Bataan, where 57 foreigners and 358 Filipinos were rounded up.

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