Gatchalian pushes continued crackdown on POGOs after deadline

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the government to continue efforts to eliminate Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and their associated criminal activities, even after the December 31st deadline.

Gatchalian highlighted that many POGOs have disguised themselves as other business types like BPOs, resorts, and restaurants to hide their illegal operations.

He stressed the importance of sustained vigilance from law enforcement, local government units, and the public to identify and dismantle these disguised POGO entities.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla stated that the government is still searching for 11,000 illegal POGO workers who did not leave the country by the deadline.

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. previously ordered a total ban on POGOs due to their links to organized crime, including human trafficking, aligning with his directive to shut them down by year-end.

The senator cautioned that these transformed POGO operations still pose significant risks to public safety and peace and order.