Taguig city: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ramping up its crackdown on illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and internet gaming licensees (IGLs). This comes after authorities discovered an alleged illegal online gaming hub masquerading as an information technology-business process outsourcing (IT-BPO) company in Upper McKinley Hills, Taguig City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit and the Southern Police District (SPD) made the discovery while conducting a manhunt operation for a Chinese national wanted for estafa. The operation was coordinated with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).
PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. commended the CIDG and SPD for their efforts, stating that such operations reveal attempts by syndicates to continue illegal gaming activities despite a national ban. He emphasized that the PNP has been conducting intensified intelligence-driven operations against POGOs since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issued an executive order banning them in the country.
Nartatez outlined that the PNP's instructions are clear: to identify, validate, and shut down all remaining POGOs, especially those that disguise themselves as BPOs or IT solution companies. He stated that the PNP is working in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Foreign Affairs to monitor trends involving foreign nationals attempting to revive underground gaming hubs.
Nartatez also noted the possibility that some operators are tied to larger cross-border criminal networks. He mentioned that there are strong indicators suggesting connections between illegal POGO/IGL operators and transnational cybercrime groups. These activities may involve online fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and other cyber-enabled crimes.
To strengthen case build-up, the PNP and CIDG are coordinating with foreign counterparts, ensuring comprehensive efforts in tackling the issue.
