The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) states that the efforts to combat illegal offshore gaming operators (POGO) and their foreign employees are facing severe challenges. According to preliminary estimates by the agency, there are currently about 9,000 illegal POGO foreign workers still stranded in the Philippines, most of whom are no longer concentrated in living quarters, making their whereabouts unknown and significantly increasing the difficulty of law enforcement and deportation.
PAOCC spokesperson, lawyer Ernesto Tendero Jr., noted that these illegal workers have shifted to living dispersed across various provinces, towns, and communities, rather than being concentrated in previous large operational bases or dormitories. "This complicates our tracking and investigation efforts, and also adds pressure on national security and social governance," he said.
He emphasized that national and local government units must strengthen their coordination mechanisms and enhance grassroots intelligence capabilities to more effectively identify the hiding places of illegal workers and promote subsequent law enforcement and deportation procedures.
PAOCC specifically calls on local governments to actively participate and assist in identifying unregistered or small-scale illegal POGO bases within their jurisdictions. Tendero pointed out that after being banned, many large POGO organizations have fragmented into smaller illegal operating units, continuing to conduct business covertly. "These small bases are more concealed and difficult to detect using traditional methods, relying on local reports and grassroots clues."
Currently, PAOCC is working jointly with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to expand the scope of search and accelerate the investigation and deportation processes.
"This is not just an immigration enforcement issue, but also involves national security, public order, and social stability," Tendero emphasized. The presence of illegal POGO may involve multiple threats such as money laundering, kidnapping, fraud, and health risks, and must be resolutely dealt with.
PAOCC reiterates that it will continue to work closely with relevant government departments to strengthen intelligence networks and law enforcement efforts, comprehensively eliminate illegal gambling activities, and legally hold those involved accountable, safeguarding national law and social security.
