The Senate Committee report warns that criminal groups associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) continue to thrive, shifting their activities to new fronts.
Risa Hontiveros, the Minority Deputy Leader and Chair of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality, submitted Committee Report No. 514 to the plenary, detailing how human trafficking, financial crimes, and national security threats persist even after the prohibition of online gaming operators.
"Prohibiting online gaming operators was the right move, but our fight is far from over," Hontiveros said in a privilege speech.
"These criminal networks are highly adaptable, and they have already started using new cover operations to continue their illegal activities."
Although the official POGO operations have been dismantled, the Senate's investigation found that many former POGOs have shifted to other industries, including casinos, special economic zones, and underground financial networks.
The report also detailed how the dismissed Mayor of Banban, Alice Guo (also known as Guo Huaping), played a role in fast-tracking the licensing of POGO-related businesses, highlighting concerns about some officials possibly aiding illegal activities.
"POGOs may nominally be gone, but the damage they caused—and their ability to transform into other businesses—remains a national threat," Hontiveros warned.
The investigation involved multiple government officials suspected of facilitating crimes related to POGO, from human trafficking to money laundering, including immigration personnel identified as key figures in smuggling workers to overseas POGO-related fraud centers.
Local government officials were also found to have notarized false documents for companies related to POGO.
It is alleged that law enforcement and military personnel were listed on POGO's payroll, providing protection for illegal operations.
Senator Joel Villanueva, who advocates for the prohibition of POGO, emphasized the need for stricter oversight of government agencies.
"Our institutions have been compromised. The cost of POGO operations is not just economic; it also comprehensively erodes governance, security, and national integrity," he said during the demonstration.
Despite the ban on POGO, the committee found evidence that fraud centers and illegal financial activities have shifted to other legitimate businesses.
It is reported that casinos and integrated resorts have become the new bases for former POGO participants, who continue online gambling and illegal financial activities through intermediary agreements.
Hontiveros stated that special economic zones are now being used as fronts for fraud operations, and cryptocurrency transactions have become a major tool for laundering money from online fraud and trafficking.
"Our office has received reports that former POGO employees are being transferred to a casino in Parañaque, living in dormitories similar to the previous POGO setups," Hontiveros revealed.
To prevent crimes related to POGO from reemerging under different guises, the group recommends criminal prosecution of involved officials, permanent legislation prohibiting all forms of offshore gambling, including PAGCOR-licensed intermediary gambling agreements.
"The criminals behind POGO are still here. We must ensure they have no new sanctuaries, whether in casinos, special economic zones, or any other legitimate enterprises," Hontiveros said.
