THE Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) yesterday vowed more raids against banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the arrest of their workers.
In a radio interview, PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said they intend to end all POGO operations throughout the country within the year.
Citing information from the Bureau of Immigration, Cruz said there are around 11,000 foreign POGO workers still in the country continuing with their “scamming operation” through “small-scale operations.”
Last Friday, PAOCC operatives raided a POGO hub in Calamba City, Laguna, rescued 23 Filipino workers, and arrested three Chinese allegedly behind the POGO operation.
Also last Friday, PAOCC personnel arrested three Chinese nationals and a Malaysian and rescued 34 Indonesian workers during a raid at another POGO hub in Pasay City.
Cruz said the 11,000 foreign POGO workers are scattered throughout the country, reportedly operating in Metro Manila, southern Luzon, northern Luzon, and the Visayas.
Asked if raids are expected in the coming days, Cruz said: “Yes, expect that we’ll come get these (POGO hubs).”
Cruz said the POGO hubs continue their operations due to the large income they get from such illegal activities.
President Marcos Jr. ordered a ban on all POGO operations in July last year and gave POGOs until the end of 2024 to wind down and cease their operations.
Asked when they would be able to end the operations of all POGOs, Cruz said: “I think we can do it within the year. Slowly, we are getting them and that is what we are doing, we are not stopping.”
Cruz expressed confidence they can get the job done with the cooperation of various agencies, including the PAOCC, PNP, NBI, the Bureau of Immigration, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering Council, among others.
“That is the directive of the President. We should help each other to end this (POGO operations),” said Cruz.
