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Authorities raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31, 2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

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POGO-HUB

Pia Gutierrez

ABS-CBN News

<div><span data-teams="true" id="isPasted"><span dir="ltr"></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/173105308525820241031-pogo-raid-bagac-MT-12.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Authorities raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31, 2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(51, 51, 51);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:pre-wrap;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">Authorities raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31, 2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</span> </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has officially banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, months after he gave POGOs until the end of 2024 to <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/7/22/marcos-jr-orders-pogos-to-cease-operations-by-end-of-year-1603">leave the country</a>.</p><p>Executive Order No. 74, signed by the Chief Executive last Tuesday, ordered an immediate ban of POGOs, Internet Gaming, and other Offshore Gaming Operations in the Philippines.</p><p>The President cited a study conducted by the Department of Finance, which noted that the risks and negative consequences associated with POGO activities, such as increased crime rates, social instability, and exploitation of vulnerable people, significantly outweighed the economic and social benefits derived from the industry.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/15/more-than-100-smaller-illegal-pogo-units-operating-in-ph-paocc-1406" id="isPasted">More than 100 smaller illegal POGO units operating in PH: PAOCC</a></div><p>He noted that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reported that “POGOs have been identified as susceptible to money laundering, fraud, and other illicit financial activities, and therefore pose as substantial threats to the integrity of the national financial system.”</p><p>Marcos said the reputational risks associated with POGO and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) “deter foreign investment and tourism, undermining the efforts of the National Government in promoting the country as a safe and sustainable investment and tourism destination.”</p><p>Under the EO, all POGOs, IGLs, other offshore gaming operations, and ancillary services with licenses, permits or authorizations shall completely cease operations. They were directed to winding up their affairs by December 31, 2024 or earlier.</p><p>All existing licenses, permits or authorizations issued to the sector shall no longer be renewed or extended, while applications for new licenses, permits or authorizations will be banned.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/10/15/pogo-ban-sparks-regional-efforts-to-combat-human-trafficking-1901" id="isPasted">POGO ban sparks regional efforts to combat human trafficking </a></div><p>The President ordered the creation of technical working groups to enforce the ban, address its economic impact, and assist displaced Filipino workers. </p><p>Marcos ordered law enforcement agencies “to intensify their efforts against illegal POGOs/IGLs and other offshore gaming operations and services.” </p><p>Meanwhile, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development “shall assist the TWG on Anti-Illegal Offshore Gaming Operations in securing the cooperation of homeowners associations to ensure the non-proliferation of POGO/GL and other offshore gaming operations and services in subdivisions, condominiums and other real estate developments, and to immediately report any such operations or activities to the TWG on Anti-Illegal Offshore Gaming Operations.” </p><p>The Department of Tourism was ordered to “monitor tourism establishments and facilities to ensure that they are not utilized for POGO/IL and other offshore gaming operations or services,” while the PAGCOR and Bureau of Internal Revenue were directed to “expedite the collection of applicable fees and taxes related to the offshore gaming industry, in accordance with relevant laws.”</p>

<p>President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has officially banned operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in the country, months after he announced during his third SONA that POGOs only have until the end of 2024 to leave the Philippines.</p>

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has officially banned operations of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations in the country, months after he announced during his third SONA that POGOs only have until the end of 2024 to leave the Philippines.

Marcos issues EO officially banning POGOs

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Marcos issues EO officially banning POGOs

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 08, 2024 04:18 PM PHT

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Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

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