(UPDATE) PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other law enforcement bodies to carry out multiple operations against Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) that continue to exist in the country.
During a command conference of the national and regional peace and order councils held at police headquarters in Camp Crame, the president told the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to intensify their operations against POGOs that are still operating despite the ban.
He also called on all local chief executives to coordinate with the DILG in going after POGOs in their respective jurisdictions.
PEACE MEET President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. chats with officials before presiding over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council – Regional Peace and Order Councils Meeting at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTO BY RENE H. DILAN
Marcos’ attendance at the peace and order council meeting came a day after he stood firm on his stance to kick out POGOs from the country and announced the cancellation of all POGO and internet gaming licenses (IGLs) nationwide.
“They will no longer be allowed to wreak havoc. Whoever attempts to operate illegally will deal with the full force of the law,” he said in Filipino on his official Facebook and Instagram accounts on Wednesday.
The chief executive in his State of the Nation Address in July ordered the total ban on POGOs, noting the negative effects of gambling, such as a spike in crime rates, social instability, and exploitation of vulnerable people. These, he argued, far outweigh the economic and social benefits the gaming industry contributes.
Last month, he issued Executive Order (EO) 74 formalizing the ban on POGOs, internet gaming, and other offshore gaming operations. The EO encompasses illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations in the country.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) – Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) Meeting at Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H DILAN/MPC POOL
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) – Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) Meeting at Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H DILAN/MPC POOL
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) – Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) Meeting at Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H DILAN/MPC POOL
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) – Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) Meeting at Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H DILAN/MPC POOL
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) – Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) Meeting at Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H DILAN/MPC POOL
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. presides over the 2nd Joint National Peace and Order Council (NPOC) – Regional Peace and Order Councils (RPOCs) Meeting at Camp Brigadier General Rafael T. Crame in Quezon City on Dec. 12, 2024. PHOTOS BY RENE H DILAN/MPC POOL
Pagcor Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said all remaining POGO licenses will be revoked by Dec. 15 and that there would be no more renewal of permits.
As of Nov. 29, there were 53,700 cancelled offshore gaming employment licenses; 18 IGLs voluntarily cancelling their licenses; and 27 IGLs in the process of winding down their operations.
The DILG vowed it will hunt down all underground gaming operators and ordered all local chief executives to submit a report regarding any suspicious activities within their localities, including the possible movement or setup of a POGO.
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