PAOCC targets 10,000 foreign nationals in POGO crackdown

Malacañang is committed to eradicating illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) setting a one-year deadline to arrest and deport an estimated 9,000 to 10,000 foreign nationals involved in these operations.

PAOCC spokesperson Director Winston John Casio emphasized the need to adhere to President Marcos' directive to eliminate POGOs, who were given until December 31 of last year to voluntarily leave after their working visas were revoked.

Illegal POGOs are evolving from scattered groups into organized hubs and expanding beyond Metro Manila.

Recent raids have led to the apprehension of hundreds of foreign nationals and Filipino workers.

Senator Risa Hontiveros has expressed concern that POGOs have transformed into scam operations, and POGO bosses may still be overseeing smaller operations within the country.

A syndicate of former POGO operators is reportedly linked to a kidnapping incident in Taguig City.

The government warned that local government officials could be held liable for issuing permits to POGOs without proper documentation.

The proliferation of text scams may lead to a revisiting of the SIM Card Registration Act, potentially including face-to-face registration.