Marcos assures farmers, fisherfolk of POGO crackdown

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. assured farmers and fisherfolk in Pampanga on Friday that his administration is committed to eradicating criminality and illegal activities linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Marcos acknowledged the concerns of community members about crime and illegal activities, stating that a task force has been established by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate these issues.

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) raided Lucky South 99 in Porac, Pampanga last month due to suspicions of unlawful activities involving kidnapping, illegal detention, torture, human trafficking, and sex trafficking.

Finance Secretary Ralph Recto has recommended a total ban on POGOs in the country, while PAOCC is considering recommending a gradual phaseout of these operations.

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) continues to collaborate with other agencies to combat drug smuggling, with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency taking the lead in anti-drug efforts.