Despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s ban on all online gambling companies in the country, most Philippine offshore gaming operators continue to masquerade as Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies to keep their operations running.
Winnie Quidato, the head of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), confirmed this during a Senate hearing on illegal activities related to offshore gaming companies, held by the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.
Quidato expressed hope that the activities of these "guerrilla-style POGOs" and their illegal operations would not tarnish the good image established by the BPO sector in the country.
Quidato also reported that thousands of people who previously worked in a POGO are now operating in small groups of 10 to 20 individuals per operation, known as guerrilla-style POGOs.
The official mentioned that due to PAOCC's active operations in Luzon, most "guerrilla online gambling companies" have started to move their operations to the Visayas and Mindanao regions.
He stated that PAOCC plans to meet again with relevant government agencies to discuss stricter enforcement of Executive Order No. 74 and how to pursue these guerrilla-style POGOs.
Marcos signed Executive Order No. 74 on November 4, which immediately prohibits offshore operations and internet gambling in the country.
