Foreign nationals are attempting to revive Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs illegally despite the nationwide ban, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Monday. PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez warned that operators who continue to run or re-establish offshore gaming activities will face aggressive enforcement and prosecution.
“We are seeing a trend where some foreign nationals continue to try to set up underground operations despite the national ban,” Nartatez said in Filipino. He noted that the PNP is coordinating closely with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to tighten monitoring and prevent the resurgence of prohibited online gaming hubs.
Nartatez issued a stern warning: “If there are still individuals or groups planning to run POGO-like operations, they should stop because we will find you, we will shut you down, and we will file the strongest possible charges.” He emphasized that the Philippines will not allow its territory to be used for illegal enterprises that threaten national security, damage the economy, or harm the country’s international reputation.
He also said there are “strong indicators” that certain illegal POGO or Internet Gaming Licensee (IGL) operators may be linked to larger transnational cybercrime groups. According to Nartatez, these underground operations are likely tied to online fraud schemes, money laundering networks, identity theft, and other cyber-enabled criminal activities.
To investigate these potential links, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) is working with its international law enforcement counterparts.
The statement came shortly after the arrest of 17 foreign nationals—12 Chinese, four Malaysian, and one Vietnamese—for allegedly running an illegal POGO operation inside a building in Upper McKinley Hill, Taguig City. According to police, the group had been posing as a business process outsourcing (BPO) and information technology solutions firm. The operation was reportedly unaccredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor).
Authorities said the Taguig raid is part of intensified efforts to dismantle all remaining illegal hubs, especially those operating under false business fronts. These actions are mandated by the executive order banning POGOs issued by the president last year.
“The instruction to us is clear: Identify, validate, and shut down all the remaining POGOs, particularly those that hide behind the names of BPOs or IT solution companies,” Nartatez said. “We have been complying, and we will continue to do so until all of them are gone.”
On October 23, the president signed the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which formally renders all offshore gaming operations unlawful. The act prohibits running or managing offshore gaming platforms, acting as a POGO service provider, using POGO-related tools, or concealing operations through fraud. Those found guilty may face up to 12 years of imprisonment, fines reaching P50 million, and—if the offenders are public officials—dismissal and disqualification from government service without retirement benefits.
As enforcement continues, authorities say they remain focused on fully dismantling the remnants of illegal offshore gaming networks, preventing the return of underground POGO hubs, and safeguarding the country from associated criminal activity.
