MANILA -- The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) on Tuesday stressed that even "small-scale operations" of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are no longer allowed in the country in 2025.

This is after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued a total ban on POGOs during his State of the Nation Address in July 2024. An executive order issued on November 8 directed POGOs to wind up their affairs by today, December 31, 2024. 

READ: Marcos issues EO officially banning POGOs

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz noted that most POGO operations have ceased, though they are still observing a handful that persist despite the ban.

"Mayroon pa rin kaming nakikita na talagang matigas ang ulo. 'Yung iba naman, kagaya ng mga reports sa amin at mga mino-monitor namin, talagang gumagawa na sila ng mga small-scale POGO operations," Cruz said in a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview.

"Open din ito. Gusto nga nila kasi, talagang matao, maraming foreigners ang pinupuntahan nila, para nga hindi sila halata," he added. "So 'yun ang mga mino-monitor natin, at definitely, itong pagpasok ng bagong taon, sila 'yung mga sisimulan natin paghuhulihin."

Cruz said that these small-scale operations will be pursued by PAOCC and other government agencies, and asked that local government units be on the lookout for them.

According to Cruz, Marcos Jr himself pointed out that there are "indicators" of POGO operations in an area.

"Kagaya kung dumami 'yung foreigners sa isang lugar, tapos may mga nagpadagdag ng mga internet connections, tapos may mga nagde-deliver ng pagkain doon sa lugar na 'yun. Sabi niya, mga indicators 'yan na 'yan ay mga POGO operations," Cruz said of the president's message. 

Local government officials can reach out to the PAOCC, the Philippine National Police, or the National Bureau of Investigation for help if they suspect that there is a POGO operation in their area, added Cruz.

"Pagtulung-tulungan po natin ang problema," he said, while also stressing the "total ban" on POGO operations.

"'Yung iba talagang gumagawa sila ng small scale ops, but hindi na po pwede 'yan. Total ban na po tayo. Definitely, huhulihin namin 'yan, whether sabihin nila na may permit sila from PAGCOR o kaya sabihin nila na sila ay BPO at hindi po sila ano, hindi po mangyayari 'yun. Talagang huhulihin na po namin kayo come January," said Cruz.

The licenses of remaining POGOs were officially revoked last December 15. 

Meanwhile, foreign POGO workers are also reminded to leave the country. According to Cruz, some 200,000 workers have already asked to downgrade their visas and some 20,000 have already left the Philippines.

READ: No more extension of Dec 31 deadline for foreign POGO workers to leave the country -- BI