POGO detention centers are overcrowded, many are sick! Arrests of POGO personnel suspended!

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has reported that since the Philippines completely banned the offshore gaming (online gambling) industry, over 9,000 former foreign workers remain stranded within the country, fleeing across regions. Due to the saturation of law enforcement's holding capacity, large-scale arrest operations have been temporarily suspended.

During the last hearing held by the Four-Agency Panel in the House of Representatives, PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz noted that the existing detention center in Pasig City is now overcrowded with more than 600 foreign nationals, severely exceeding its capacity. "As there is no available space in the facilities, we have temporarily suspended the operations to apprehend these illegal foreign workers."

Cruz emphasized that most of the detained foreign nationals cannot be deported due to lost passports. "These individuals were originally working in the online gambling industry and scattered across various locations after their documents were seized, becoming mobile sources of risk."

Medical issues are also becoming increasingly severe. Cruz revealed that several detainees suffer from infectious diseases, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, respiratory infections, and HIV, with one HIV-positive detainee having died and been cremated three weeks ago.

Currently, the commission spends approximately 2 million pesos monthly on food and basic medical services for these illegal foreign workers.

To address the growing population pressure, Cruz suggested establishing a national database to track and combat illegal online gambling activities, and recommended that local governments receive training to identify operators moving underground. He also stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with foreign embassies to optimize deportation mechanisms and promote regional intelligence sharing.

"We need a national mobilization to enhance community reporting awareness and raise public alertness to fraud and illegal gambling," Cruz stated. "This is not just a law enforcement issue, but also a reflection of national reputation and sovereignty."

Data shows that since 2025, Philippine authorities have conducted 10 large-scale raids, arresting about 750 foreign nationals involved in these cases.

However, Cruz also pointed out that some illegal online gambling businesses have relocated their operations to the southern Philippines, specifically in Misamis Oriental and Lanao, and even moved to Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, and East Timor, with reports indicating some operators are now in Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.

Congressman Bienvenido Abante called for the implementation of a "cross-departmental joint pursuit" model and suggested the immediate arrest of dispersed foreign nationals posing potential public health risks. He also advocated for the centralized quarantine of these detainees to prevent the spread of infections.

Bureau of Corrections Director Gregorio Catapang Jr. stated that they are ready to establish special detention areas in the New Bilibid Prison, which can accommodate 100 people detained by the National Bureau of Investigation and 500 by the Bureau of Immigration.

To further alleviate detention pressure, Abante also suggested utilizing the former national drug rehabilitation center at Fort Magsaysay, transforming it into a facility specifically for housing illegal online gambling workers. He also called for accountability from local governments that allow these illegal operations to exist.