Help eradicate POGOs, Marcos tells LGUs

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

POGO WATCH. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC)-Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) meeting for 2024 at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday (Dec. 12, 2024). During the meeting, the President directed local government units to be on alert and stop turning a blind eye to suspicious activities that may be associated with Philippine offshore gaming operators. (Photo: Bongbong Marcos/Facebook)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged local government units (LGUs) to remain vigilant against Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), emphasizing the need for heightened surveillance and action.

Marcos made the call during the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC)-Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) meeting for 2024 at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

In a social media post, the President revealed that he has directed law enforcement agencies and anti-corruption bodies to step up efforts to crack down on illegal POGOs.

“Inatasan natin ang PAGCOR, PAOCC, PNP at CIDG na paigtingin ang kanilang operasyon laban sa mga ilegal na POGO at IGL [internet gaming licensees] operations sa ating bansa (We have instructed PAGCOR, PAOCC, PNP, and CIDG to intensify their operations against illegal POGO and IGL operations in our country),” Marcos said.

He also called on LGUs to actively address suspicious activities in their areas.

“Sa mga LGU, huwag nating kalimutan ang ating tungkulin na alamin kung ano ang nangyayari sa ating mga komunidad. Makipag-ugnayan sa DILG [Department of the Interior and Local Government] at huwag na tayong magbulag-bulagan (As LGUs, let us not forget our duty to know what is happening in our communities. Work with the DILG and stop turning a blind eye),” he added.

In his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July, Marcos announced a ban on all POGOs, legitimate and otherwise, as the industry was marred with serious issues such as human trafficking, prostitution, abduction, and murder.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously stated that he would issue a memorandum requiring local chief executives to monitor and report any suspicious activities related to illegal POGOs.