MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is stepping up operations against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) and internet gaming licensees (IGLs) after authorities uncovered an alleged illicit gaming hub masquerading as an IT-BPO firm in Taguig City on December 1.

Personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Southern Metro Manila District Field Unit and the Southern Police District (SPD), working with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), were pursuing a Chinese national wanted for estafa when they chanced upon the suspected underground POGO/IGL site inside a commercial establishment in Upper McKinley Hills.

PNP acting chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. lauded the units involved, stressing that the discovery shows how syndicates continue to exploit cover businesses to evade the government’s nationwide ban on POGOs.

“The instruction to us is clear: identify, validate, and shut down all remaining POGOs, particularly those hiding behind BPOs or IT solution companies,” Nartatez said. “We have been complying and we will continue until all of them are gone.”

Following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s executive order prohibiting POGO operations, the PNP has intensified intelligence-driven efforts targeting operators attempting to stay underground.

Nartatez said the police are coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Foreign Affairs to monitor foreign nationals linked to reemerging illegal gaming hubs. Authorities also see possible links to broader global criminal networks.

“May strong indicators na ang ilang illegal POGO/IGL operators ay konektado sa mas malalaking transnational cybercrime groups,” he said, citing potential involvement in online fraud, money laundering, identity theft, and other cyber-enabled crimes.

The PNP and CIDG are also working with international partners to strengthen case build-up against syndicates.

“If there are still individuals or groups planning to run POGO-like operations, they should stop because we will find you, we will shut you down, and we will file the strongest possible charges,” Nartatez warned. (PNA)