PAOCC urges mayors to help in crackdown on illegal POGOs
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PAOCC urges mayors to help in crackdown on illegal POGOs
Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City on June 27, 2023. File
Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City on June 27, 2023. FileMANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday urged local government units to help them in their campaign against illegal POGOs, which it called "scam farms."
MANILA — The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Thursday urged local government units to help them in their campaign against illegal POGOs, which it called "scam farms."
"No self-respecting local chief executive can tell himself or herself that they didn't know they were doing this or that. You cannot give me the argument that 'I canceled their permit, I didn't renew their permit'. We would like to call on all local chief executives, please help us in the fight against scam farms," PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio told ANC.
"No self-respecting local chief executive can tell himself or herself that they didn't know they were doing this or that. You cannot give me the argument that 'I canceled their permit, I didn't renew their permit'. We would like to call on all local chief executives, please help us in the fight against scam farms," PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio told ANC.
Casio said the Department of the Interior and Local Government needs to "call the attention of all the local chief executives where these scam farms are located, be they illegal or hiding behind legality or what."
Casio said the Department of the Interior and Local Government needs to "call the attention of all the local chief executives where these scam farms are located, be they illegal or hiding behind legality or what."
He added: "You really can't deny their existence. They are all sticking like sore thumbs."
He added: "You really can't deny their existence. They are all sticking like sore thumbs."
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Some 250 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators are operating without license and may be involved in various crimes, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said Thursday.
Some 250 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators are operating without license and may be involved in various crimes, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said Thursday.
The government allows the operation of POGOs in the country. But recently, there have been calls to make them illegal due to their links to illegal activities such as human trafficking, swindling operations, and other heinous crimes.
The government allows the operation of POGOs in the country. But recently, there have been calls to make them illegal due to their links to illegal activities such as human trafficking, swindling operations, and other heinous crimes.
In an ANC interview last week, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian — who has long been calling for the banning of POGOs — revealed that some Chinese syndicates with POGOs are now working with local criminals in the Philippines.
In an ANC interview last week, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian — who has long been calling for the banning of POGOs — revealed that some Chinese syndicates with POGOs are now working with local criminals in the Philippines.
Casio also slammed the Pagcor over its alleged lack of monitoring of POGOs, saying the gaming regulator's responsibility does not end once it cancels a POGO permit.
Casio also slammed the Pagcor over its alleged lack of monitoring of POGOs, saying the gaming regulator's responsibility does not end once it cancels a POGO permit.
He pointed out that Pagcor should coordinate with relevant government agencies, including the immigration bureau and interior department, to ensure those with canceled licenses are no longer operating.
He pointed out that Pagcor should coordinate with relevant government agencies, including the immigration bureau and interior department, to ensure those with canceled licenses are no longer operating.
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"We reminded them that there has to be more than just mere presence. And likewise, having stated that, I guess both Pagcor and the LGU of Porac have some explaining to do as to why this particular operation continued up until June 4 or 5," Casio said.
"We reminded them that there has to be more than just mere presence. And likewise, having stated that, I guess both Pagcor and the LGU of Porac have some explaining to do as to why this particular operation continued up until June 4 or 5," Casio said.
"With regards to PAGCOR, we've been doing a lot of meetings with them and we constantly remind them, once you cancel a license of particular POGO, your work should not stop there," he added.
"With regards to PAGCOR, we've been doing a lot of meetings with them and we constantly remind them, once you cancel a license of particular POGO, your work should not stop there," he added.
A recent raid in a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga found suspected illegal drugs, alleged Chinese army uniforms, and evidence of supposed torture and scam operations.
A recent raid in a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga found suspected illegal drugs, alleged Chinese army uniforms, and evidence of supposed torture and scam operations.
Pagcor had said there was no need to make POGOs illegal, adding what needs to be done is to intensify anti-crime operations against suspected alien hackers, scammers, and cyber-criminals.
Pagcor had said there was no need to make POGOs illegal, adding what needs to be done is to intensify anti-crime operations against suspected alien hackers, scammers, and cyber-criminals.
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