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 Monday evening. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Wednesday said authorities are already preparing for the possibility that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), particularly those engaged in cybercrime activities like scamming, would go underground once they are totally banned from the country by the end of the year.

During a news forum, CICC Executive Director Alexander Ramos said they are already keeping track of the number of Chinese or other foreign POGO workers leaving the country.

“Alam natin libo-libo silang nandito. Ilan na ang lumabas sa Pilipinas? Wala pang 200. Ibig sabihin nandito pa sila,” said Ramos.

“Pag every month, yung number of foreign registered workers or individuals ay hindi lumaki, ibig sabihin nag-ooperate sila using a different method… Meron silang guerilla operation at hindi na pwedeng malakihan,” he added.

While it may not be easy to track them all down, Ramos is confident that the CICC and other law enforcement agencies can do the job as long as they work together.

READ: Hontiveros calls on authorities to 'step up' as POGOs go 'underground'

“Tulong tulong po ang gobyerno na hinahanap sila. Kung makikita niyo, pati mga LGUs ngayon, mandated na mag-report kung may clustering of foreign individuals,” he said.

He said they will also continue to coordinate with their foreign counterparts.

“Kaya kami laging nakikipag-coordinate doon sa countries na nauna sa’ting mag-shut down, pinag-aralan na namin kung ano ang naging secondary move,” noted Ramos.

According to the CICC, the government has already filed cases against a number of individuals or groups behind several scam hubs that have been raided in different parts of the country.

But Ramos noted that many remain pending at the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Ang problem natin is saan natin ikukulong sila, ang dami nila? So the fastest way to decongest is deport them,” he added.

READ: Marcos: 'Effective today, all POGOs are banned'

During his State of the Nation Address in July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a ban on all POGOs, due to their involvement in criminal activities. He instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to "wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of the year."

Sen. Risa Hontiveros, among the most outspoken critics of POGOs, said at the time that she was "relieved" over the president's directive.

But in September, Hontiveros noted that POGOs are still operating, albeit "underground." She called on law enforcement agencies to step up their enforcement of the president's ban.

"Unfortunately, sa kabila ng mga pahayag ng pangulo sa kanyang SONA, patuloy ang underground operations ng mga POGO, so I am calling on our law enforcement agencies to step up para ipatupad ang total ban ni Presidente," said Hontiveros. 

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