PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz (PNA file photo)
MANILA – The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said Monday there has been a sharp decline in the number of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) under its monitoring.
As of latest count, there are only 100 POGO hubs being monitored.
“Ayon po sa report na binigay sa amin ng PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation), marami na rin nagsara at ‘yung iba naman tuloy-tuloy na talagang nagtitiklupan (According to the report given to us by PAGCOR, many have already closed shop and many are already are wrapping up their operations)," PAOCC executive director Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said in a radio interview.
Cruz said he is confident that the government would be able to eradicate all illegal POGO remnants.
“Even if they turn to smaller groups, they would still converge and the indicators are still there. The indicators are obvious, especially at night. As I have said before, they are open at night because of our time zone. Their victims are operating in an opposite time zone," he added.
Cruz said that cases will soon be filed against local chief executives who were involved in illegal POGO activities.
He said the joint investigation of lawmakers, National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies are yielding good results.
"Napagkabit kabit na natin kung sino sino talaga ‘yung mga involved sa POGOs. Marami na pong pangalan na lumabas (We have already connected the dots as to who are involved in POGOs. A lot of names have already surfaced)," he added.
New Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier vowed to personally shut down all POGOs in the country by December.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced a total ban on POGOs during his third State of the Nation Address in July.
The President ordered the banning “effective immediately” and directed PAGCOR to stop the gambling firms’ operation by the end of the year.
The Department of Labor and Employment was tasked to find jobs for displaced Filipino workers. (PNA)
