The House Committee on Public Order and Safety, in a joint inquiry with the Committee on Games and Amusements, began its investigation into the rise of criminal activities and illegal acts associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
Committee on Public Order and Safety chairperson and Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez said the investigation is being conducted to uncover the masterminds behind these illicit activities, and ensure they face legal consequences.
“Some of the offenses linked to POGOs include homicide, serious illegal detention, extortion, cybercrimes, human trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, prostitution, kidnapping, torture and bribery.”
“Some of the offenses linked to POGOs include homicide, serious illegal detention, extortion, cybercrimes, human trafficking, money laundering, tax evasion, prostitution, kidnapping, torture and bribery,” Fernandez explained.
Committee on Games and Amusements chairperson and Cavite Representative Antonio Ferrer highlighted earlier legislative measures aimed at banning POGOs, stressing the need for coordinated government action against illegitimate operators.
Ferrer also stressed the necessity for collaborative efforts among government agencies to address issues arising from POGO operations, and determine the primary agency responsible for combating illicit POGO activities.
Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers asked the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) about the legal basis for a special class of Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) in the country.
PAGCOR Overseas Gaming Licensing Division head Atty. Jessa Fernandez said her agency only gives permits to legitimate gaming operators abroad who are engaging in ongoing business-to-business transactions and activities within Philippine territory, which they refer to as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).
Fernandez nonetheless cited illegal online casinos as a serious PAGCOR concern,
“Isa po talaga sa pinaka-kinakaharap po natin is ‘yong proliferation of illegal online casinos,” she said.
“PAGCOR has reported nearly 7,000 illegal gambling websites but only about 5,000 have been shut down.”
According to Fernandez, PAGCOR has reported nearly 7,000 illegal gambling websites to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) since 2022, but only about 5,000 have been shut down so far.
Their report also indicated an uptick in illegal operators which did not apply for any license from PAGCOR and the rapid growth of illegal casinos through social media and illegal gambling websites using the PAGCOR logo.
PAGCOR Chairman Alejendro Tengco explained that the state-run gaming firm cannot monitor illegal gaming organizations and operators; it can only coordinate with law enforcement agencies regarding unlicensed POGOs as PAGCOR lacks the authority to combat these illegal activities.
Fernandez then urged local government units (LGU) to join efforts to permanently ban illegal POGOs.
“We’ll be asking for the help of our LGUs in order to finalize the closure of all these illegal POGOs. We need your cooperation, the DILG, PAOCC, DOJ, PAGCOR. Kaya natin ‘to, isang buwan ipasara natin ito,” he said.
