To prevent the Philippines from becoming a springboard for criminal groups, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has recently been keeping a tight watch on the borders. As illegal offshore gambling (POGO) syndicates accelerate their escape, the PNP has issued a strict order to intensify patrols and surveillance along coastal and border areas, with one goal—to completely block the smuggling routes used by criminal groups as "back doors." Acting Police Chief Nartates made it clear that patrols need to be denser and more frequent to leave no gaps for criminals to exploit.
Police urgently seal off, intensifying efforts on sea and land
According to tracking reports from the PASA official website, Acting Police Chief Jose Merlencio Nartates has given clear instructions to local police stations. They must collaborate with national support units to significantly enhance their "presence" at sea and on land. This is not just for show, but to make the patrol network denser and harder to deceive. Additionally, the police will strengthen intelligence penetration and international cooperation, specifically targeting the new tricks of POGO crime networks changing "vests and positions."
Backdoor route exposed: A mature transnational smuggling chain
So how exactly do these criminal groups escape? Police intelligence has revealed the details. A frequently used and most alarming route has come to light: from the scenic Palawan to the sea, smuggling into Sabah, Malaysia, and then sneaking into Myawaddy, Myanmar, or Phnom Penh, Cambodia via land. This route is very covert, crossing national borders and involving multiple segments, specifically designed to bypass regular immigration checks. The police stated that this is no longer an isolated case, but has to some extent formed a "mature channel" for escape. Nartates revealed that the police have already identified several suspicious maritime and border nodes with unusual activities.
Zero Tolerance Act takes effect, international blockade is inevitable
This action is so resolute because it is backed by law. With the "2025 Anti-POGO Act" officially in effect, the Philippines has completely turned its stance on offshore gambling to "zero tolerance." This law not only clearly defines POGO as illegal but also authorizes law enforcement agencies to fully combat the underlying networks of money laundering, fraud, and human trafficking. Thus, the PNP has now begun sharing intelligence with multiple ASEAN countries and other security agencies, focusing on monitoring those POGO syndicates attempting to "reorganize and revive" in Southeast Asia. "We cannot allow the Philippines' ports to be used for smuggling equipment or transferring personnel," Nartates emphasized. The police force along the coast and borders must be fully supplemented, as any loophole could be quickly exploited.
Beyond gambling cleanup: A national security upgrade operation
Ultimately, this round of intensified patrols, ostensibly to "prevent POGO escapes," reflects the Philippines' deep anxiety about the comprehensive spillover of transnational crime. When fraud groups begin "packing and moving," and smuggling routes are systematically utilized, the issue has long exceeded the scope of gambling and directly relates to national security, regional security, and even the international image of the Philippines. The police also admit that some intelligence is still being verified, but it is certain that a period of high-pressure law enforcement around borders, ports, and coastlines has already fully begun. The impact of this operation is likely not limited to criminal groups, as more frequent inspections and stricter checks for foreigners and workers in the Philippines may just be a matter of time.
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This article is from "PASA-Global iGaming Leader" gambling news channel:https://t.me/pasa_news
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