đ·PAOCC Director Gilbert Cruz
The Philippines will start revoking the licenses of remaining Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) on December 15, with around 20 still active, an official said on Sunday.
In an interview with DZBB on Sunday morning, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Director Gilbert Cruz said all POGOs and Internet Gambling Licensees are expected to stop operations by January in response to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to end POGO operations nationwide.
In November, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74, extending the POGO and internet gaming ban to include illegal offshore activities, new license applications, renewals, and operational closures.
He initially announced the POGO ban during his third State of the Nation Address last July.
The President directed law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies to conduct smaller, frequent operations targeting POGOs that persist despite the total ban.
“Dapat sarado na po ‘yan hanggang katapusan. Imo-monitor natin ‘yan,â Cruz said, referring to the 20 active POGOs to date.
âEven yung nagsasabi na silaây licensed na BPOs (business process outsourcing) natin. Hindi na pwede âyung mga ganun,â he added.
Cruz stated they will inspect POGOs that have reportedly ceased operations to verify compliance with the total ban.
âNext week, mag-iinspeksyon na kami nung mga sinabing nagsara⊠Syempre ayaw namin nung baka maisahan kami, sinabi nila nagsara sila pero hindi naman talaga nagsara,â Cruz said.
âSo by Tuesday nga may pupuntahan kaming isang malaki na POGO hub, sinasabing POGO hub, titignan namin kung talagang sila ay talagang nagsara na,â he added.
In response, agencies like the PAOCC, Department of Justice, and Bureau of Immigration began downgrading foreign POGO workers’ visas on October 15.
The Bureau of Immigration reports over 21,000 visa downgrade applications. (TCSP)
