The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has issued a strong warning to the public regarding a fake memo spreading disinformation. This false document falsely claims that local government units (LGUs) must immediately halt the operations of offshore online gaming businesses.
In its official statement released on Saturday, PAGCOR firmly confirmed that the memo is entirely fake. The fabricated order misled several LGUs in Metro Manila by stating that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs)—now reclassified as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs)—should shut down their operations by the first week of August.
Jessa Mariz Fernandez, who heads PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, clarified the situation further. She explained that the fake memo, dated July 26, was a manipulated version of a real memorandum PAGCOR released on July 23. That earlier document came shortly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his State of the Nation Address.
Notably, the forged version created confusion by implying that an immediate shutdown was necessary. However, Fernandez pointed out that the President’s actual directive gives PAGCOR until the end of the year to phase out IGL operations. Therefore, any order suggesting an August deadline directly contradicts official policy.
“We have not issued any memorandum directing LGUs to immediately shut down POGO operations in their areas,” Fernandez stressed. “The President’s directive is clear and specific. We have until the end of the year to complete the phaseout, and we will follow that timeline exactly.”
Furthermore, Fernandez strongly condemned the circulation of the document. “This is a deliberate act of disinformation aimed at causing disruption and confusion,” she said. “The perpetrators clearly have hidden motives. As a result, we will ask the National Bureau of Investigation to uncover those responsible and determine their intentions.”
In addition, Fernandez reassured LGUs that licensed IGLs can continue operations for now. “They may operate until we finalize the wind-down process,” she said. “That timeline remains under discussion, and we have not yet determined it.”
Meanwhile, reactions to the ongoing phaseout continue to emerge. On Thursday, a spokesperson from the Chinese Embassy in Manila welcomed the Philippine government’s decision. The embassy described the coming ban as “a welcome development,” especially as it supports efforts to curb transnational crimes connected to illegal online gambling.
Moving forward, PAGCOR remains committed to transparency and legal compliance. The agency emphasized that it will continue working closely with both national and local government units. This cooperation will ensure a smooth transition and proper enforcement of the President’s directive.
By addressing disinformation swiftly and clearly, PAGCOR aims to maintain regulatory stability and public trust. As the phaseout proceeds, the agency will actively monitor communications and take necessary steps to prevent further confusion.
