Remulla vows to close all Pogos

NEWEST APPPOINTEE President Marcos congratulates Jonvic Remulla after swearing him in as interior secretary at the Palace on Tuesday. —PPA pool

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla vowed on Tuesday to personally shutter Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) still operating by the end of 2024, starting with the ones on Island Cove, which his family used to own until it was sold in 2018.

“That will be the first one to be closed. And correction, it’s not ours. It was our property but it’s not anymore,” the newly seated official and former Cavite governor said in an interview at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.

“Just to show proof of sincerity that I will start with my province and make sure that it is closed,” Remulla told reporters.

READ: Cavite Gov. Remulla says family isn’t involved in any POGO operation

According to him, he will personally “visit each and every” Pogo to “padlock the premises and make sure that they are closed, each and every one of them.”

“It doesn’t matter if it’s Chinese or Filipinos [running the Pogos]. The [President’s] order states that all Pogos must be closed,” Remulla said.

He made the remarks hours after he took his oath as the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief before President Marcos in Malacañang.

No PNP reshuffle

His oathtaking was witnessed by members of his family, including his older brother, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, who broke the news of the appointment on Monday.

Remulla replaced Benjamin Abalos Jr., who will run for senator in the 2025 midterm elections.

He said he would not be reshuffling key officials in the Philippine National Police for now but he would recommend “structural changes” in the “top-heavy” organization.

According to him, he chose the DILG portfolio over his reelection bid as Cavite governor after receiving a call on Friday about the President’s offer. He has served in Cavite for almost three decades, including 12 years as governor.

Different skill sets

“When the President asks, you cannot refuse, you must serve. And it’s been on my mind on what reforms need to be done. I’ve been in local government for 29 years and I’ve seen everything from crooked cops to good cops to good officials to bad officials. I think I know what the reforms and what forward paths should be taken,” he said.

Remulla also deflected criticism of two Remullas occupying key positions in the Marcos administration.

“We bring to the table different skill sets, and I think local government is my forte,” he said.

Remulla added that the biggest challenge facing him as DILG chief was the PNP.

“The rogue cops can be easily dealt with. It’s a matter of enforcement. But the politics is much more difficult. Everyone is trying to find a perfect solution from imperfect people,” he said.

Another concern was how to set up a system of reporting crimes similar to a national 911 system.

“We want to create an integrated approach to reporting incidences all over the country. We’re going to start with the terms of reference tomorrow and we hope to bid it out by June next year,” Remulla said.