Credits: Rappler
In a decisive move during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced an immediate ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), citing their involvement in various criminal activities.
Addressing the Batasang Pambansa Complex, President Marcos declared, “Effective today, all POGOs are banned.” This directive, which came at the conclusion of his hour-and-a-half-long speech, was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the audience.
Marcos revealed that POGOs, initially intended to offer online gambling services, had strayed into “illicit” practices. He has instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to “wind down and cease the operation of POGOs by the end of the year.”
The President, previously silent on the issue, also tasked the Department of Labor and Employment to work with the country’s economic managers to “find new jobs for our countrymen who will be displaced” by the closures.
In his speech, Marcos condemned POGOs for engaging in activities “farthest from gaming, such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder.” He emphasized that “the grave abuse and disrespect to our system of laws must stop.”
Unlicensed POGOs, including a recent operation in Porac, Pampanga, have been linked to illegal drug activities, scam operations, and alleged torture of workers.
Several government agencies and lawmakers have previously called for a total ban on POGOs. The Department of Finance has reported that the country loses over P99 billion annually due to their operations.
