NBI XI charges 59 foreigners amid Marcos’ POGO crackdown

DAVAO CITY – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has warned operators of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) that the full force of the law will be deployed against those defying the government’s total ban.

The warning follows a raid in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, where the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Region XI charged 59 foreign nationals suspected of operating an illegal POGO.

Authorities seized equipment and records allegedly used for offshore gaming operations.

NBI Region XI Director Archie Albao told Newsline Philippines that his office has applied for a search warrant to take possession of the computers and electronic devices found inside the warehouse where the suspected POGO operators were staying. The equipment is believed to contain crucial evidence detailing the operations of the illegal gaming hub.

“All licenses of POGOs and IGLs nationwide have been canceled,” Marcos declared in a social media post on Wednesday evening after a meeting with the multi-agency task force overseeing the nationwide crackdown.

“These illegal operations will never be allowed to ravage our country again. Anyone attempting to operate illegally will face the full force of the law,” he emphasized.

The President ordered the immediate cessation of POGO operations in his third State of the Nation Address in July 2024, responding to mounting public outcry over links to human trafficking, prostitution, and violent crimes such as murder. The complete phase-out is expected to be finalized by December 31, 2024.

PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) confirmed that only seven licensed POGOs remain operational, significantly reduced from 60 operators earlier this year. These operators are in the process of winding down operations to meet the deadline.

By December 15, all licenses for POGOs, IGLs, and similar offshore gaming licensees will be revoked, according to PAGCOR.

The Panabo City Raid

In Panabo City, authorities discovered a well-organized POGO operation employing foreign nationals, mostly from China. Initial reports revealed the facility had been operating clandestinely in a suburban area, hidden from public view.

Local residents reported suspicious activities, prompting an investigation by the NBI. The raid involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the local police and immigration officers.

Albao emphasized that their office is coordinating closely with the courts to secure legal authority to examine the confiscated devices, which could provide further evidence against the suspects and reveal links to other illegal operations.

President Marcos has directed law enforcement agencies to intensify their operations against POGOs to meet the year-end ban. He also emphasized the importance of vigilance at the local government level to prevent illegal gaming operations from reemerging under different guises.

“Let this serve as a stern warning to anyone who plans to engage in illegal POGO operations. We are serious about protecting the country from the social ills they bring,” Marcos reiterated.

The government has urged communities to report any suspicious activities that may indicate the presence of illegal POGO operations in their area.