Philippine Police Vow to Wipe Out All POGOs by Year’s End

PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil reaffirmed the police force’s commitment to shutting down all illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs in the remaining two months of the year.

Marbil praised the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for its recent operation at Century Peak Tower in Manila, known as the “mother of all scam hubs,” underscoring the urgency of removing illegal POGOs from the country.

“We have two months left to put an end to these illegal POGO operations,” he stated.

In his State of the Nation Address last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mandated a complete shutdown of the POGO industry by the year’s end, citing its adverse societal impact and ties to criminal activities like human trafficking, investment fraud, and romance scams.

Last week, the PNP-ACG conducted a raid at Vertex Technology Corporation, a suspected hub for romance and cryptocurrency scams, arresting 69 foreign nationals—including 34 Indonesians, 25 Chinese, and 10 Malaysians—in the process.

“This operation not only reveals the extensive reach of illegal POGO activities but also underscores law enforcement’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks, ensuring public safety, and upholding the rule of law in cyber enforcement,” Marbil said.

He commended the ACG for their commitment, describing the court-sanctioned raid as a “testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by our PNP-ACG officers, who have disrupted a significant network involved in online scams, illegal gambling, and human trafficking.”

Charges will be filed against those involved as forensic analysis of seized evidence continues, Marbil confirmed. He also mentioned that the PNP will work closely with other agencies, including the National Bureau of Investigation, to close down all POGO operations.

Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna commended the PNP’s dedication to public safety, viewing their actions as a vital step in safeguarding Manila’s communities from cybercrime and exploitation, as stated by the PNP Public Information Office (PIO). Gen. Marbil welcomed the mayor’s strong support for the PNP’s efforts to eradicate illegal POGO activities in the city.

Separately, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided a POGO hub in Bagac, Bataan, last Thursday, detaining 57 foreign nationals and 358 Filipinos.

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