Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla delivers a keynote speech during the 2024 Seal of Good Local Governance National Awarding at the Manila Hotel on Monday, December 9, 2024. —Photo by Jown Manalo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will require all local chief executives (LCEs) to report any possible resurgence of Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) activities in their areas following the total ban on their operations starting next year.
At a press briefing, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla admitted that illegal Pogo activities may persist even after the Dec. 15 deadline imposed by President Marcos for the phaseout of all forms of offshore gaming activities nationwide.
“Our department will issue an executive order requiring all LCEs to submit suspicious activities in their localities on the movement or possible setup of Pogos,” he said.
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According to Remulla, Pogo-like activities can be detected based on a spike in a facility’s internet bandwidth use or the entry of suspicious people into houses where no business is registered.
“These activities can be traced with the movement of aliens who expressed intent to set up business in an area where they are not known. So, [LCEs] are enjoined to report immediately to us so we can readily take action,” he said.
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Remulla made the announcement after emerging from a meeting with Mr. Marcos, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) chair Alejandro Tengco, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission Executive Director Gilbert Cruz and other officials on the looming shutdown of Pogos in the country.
Tengco clarified that all licenses for all forms of offshore gaming would be considered canceled starting Jan. 1, 2025, in compliance with President Marcos’ order banning Pogos.
“So, if there are those that are claiming that they can continue with their operations supposedly because they have a valid Pagcor license, that is false because it is clear that by Dec. 31, Pagcor would have canceled all licenses whether these are the remaining 60 IGLs (internet gaming licensees) during the Sona (State of the Nation Address),” Tengco said.
Citing Pagcor data, Remulla said that 28 local government units were listed to have been issued Pogo licenses.
“So, they (LGUs) were enjoined to inspect [the facilities] to make sure there are no activities,” he added.
But Remulla admitted that even with a total Pogo ban, unscrupulous individuals may still conduct illegal activities.
“You know some Filipinos are skillful, they will always find a way. But with our system, we can easily track them down and stop them,” he said.