PAOCC leads fight to stop POGO resurgence
YET to be really considered a “lean and mean” crime-fighting unit, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) continues to lead a “whole-of-nation approach” to fight banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator or POGO companies in the country amid reports they have splintered into much smaller groups to carry out their illicit operations.
“We are already doing everything to hasten the process, except that we have to give due process to whoever appears to be the holder of those assets,” said Executive Sec. Bersamin when asked how the government is moving to fast-track the process of acquiring seized POGO assets and properties.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has congratulated the PAOCC for its major effort to disrupt clandestine networks and criminal organizations in 2024 to reaffirm the rule of law in the country amid so-many challenges.
“The difficult task of fighting organized crime requires cooperation across all levels of government and among all members of society. It is through this collaboration that we are able to create initiatives that strengthen our collective ability to combat these threats effectively,” said the Chief Executive in citing Bersamin and his men and women led by PAOCC executive director retired Police Major General Gilbert DC Cruz.
Cruz expressed optimism that the government could really eliminate illegal POGO activities this year but said they need all the help they can get from their partner-law enforcement agencies including the Department of Interior and Local Government-Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice and its subordinate units specifically the Bureau of Immigration and National Bureau of Investigation.
The member of PNP Academy ‘Tagapagtangol’ Class of 1986 and his men are acting as the “main muscle” of the PAOCC which was established under Executive Order No. 46 Series of 2011 to combat threats to the nation’s security and prosperity.
The official said for one, there is a big need to go after nearly 11,000 former POGO employees from different countries who remained in The Philippines, many of them believed to be still engaged in scam activities more than three months after President Marcos Jr. issued an order banning POGOs, internet gaming and other offshore gaming operations nationwide.
This has prompted the PAOCC to ask the NBI and the BI to “tweak its policy” in deporting foreign POGO workers
The PAOCC has also called on the wholehearted support of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Anti-Money Laundering Council in fighting POGOs.
“Malaki kasi ang kita. Kaya nilalaban nila ang malaking kita na huwag mahuli,” said the official amid the recent arrest of POGO workers in some parts of Metro Manila and Cavite and Laguna provinces.
These con artists have set up “scam farms” in hotels and resorts to elude detection.
Usec Cruz said with their operations already banned in the country, POGO operators have shifted to small-scale activities and even have engaged lately in so-called “love scams.”
The official said they are also monitoring areas in Cagayan Valley, National Capital Region, Calabarzon and Visayas regions where displaced POGO operators may operate much smaller officers to scam people online.
He added that they are grateful to the Remulla brothers — DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jovic” Remulla and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla — for their all-out support to the PAOCC in curbing POGO scammers.
Cruz particularly cited the DILG chief for issuing a memorandum requiring all local government executives to monitor and not give permits to possible POGO businesses in their areas.
At the same time, he said Justice chief Remulla has been a great help to the PAOCC in quickly filing appropriate charges against arrested POGO operators and their employees.
“There is a good coordination between agencies and this will help us succeed in our campaign,” the official said.
The DOJ chief said the President “is unequivocally clear that POGOs have no place here in the Philippines and we vow to give our all-out support for the sake and welfare of the Filipino people.”
For his part, DILG Sec. Remulla said “the government’s anti-POGO campaign is an ongoing thing, (it’s) forever. We will continue to be vigilant about it.”
Usec. Cruz also acknowledged the role being played by the Department of National Defense-Armed Forces of the Philippines in fighting POGOs in the country.
“The concern is that we should stop these syndicated criminal activities operating out of our base, which weaken our financial standing, our country ratings and corrupt our society,” said Defense chief Gilberto “Gibo” C. Teodoro.
Cruz said there is a big need to really stop these POGO activities.
“Ang daming mga anak at asawa ng mga nadeport ang pumupunta sa aming tanggapan upang humingi ng pinansiyal na tulong. Hindi naman nating pwuedeng tanggihan at pabayaan. Yan kasi naging collateral damage nitong illegal POGO operations dito sa atin,” he revealed.
