MANILA, Philippines — Following the raid of an alleged Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation (POGO)-like company in Parañaque City, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla urged local chief executives (LCEs) to intensify inspection efforts to eliminate remaining POGO activities in the country.

“This is a message to all LCEs: do your job well, ensure that you inspect all buildings. You will also be held accountable if we find operations you failed to report,” Remulla said on Friday.

In a memorandum issued on January 2, Remulla instructed all local government units (LGUs) to regularly inspect businesses within their jurisdictions to ensure no illegal POGO operations persist. The directive also called for coordination with the Philippine National Police to identify and dismantle concealed POGO activities.

By the end of January, LGUs are required to submit a “no POGO certificate” affirming that their areas are free of such operations.

On January 8, the Bureau of Immigration arrested approximately 400 individuals allegedly engaged in online scams resembling POGO schemes in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

Remulla said the DILG will demand an explanation from the Parañaque City government regarding the presence of the raided establishment. “It was a full operation with over 400 individuals. We will write to the LGU and request a detailed explanation of what transpired,” he stated.

The raid comes months after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared an immediate ban on all POGOs during his 2024 State of the Nation Address.

POGO hubs were given until December 31 last year to operate. A total of 11,254 foreign nationals involved in POGO) activities will be deported following the December 31 shutdown, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said earlier this month.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that among the 33,863 POGO employees registered under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, 24,779 opted to downgrade their visas. 

Of the total number, 22,609 left the country before the December 31 deadline, the bureau said.

“We are deporting those who did not downgrade and leave the country before the deadline, as well as those who downgraded but still failed to leave,” Viado said.

In November, Marcos signed Executive Order 74, officially restricting POGOs, internet gaming licenses, and other offshore gaming operations in the country due to their links to serious crimes and the alleged involvement of government officials