Over 300 illegal POGOS in Phl, says PAOCC

The Philippines is host to more than 300 illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs in various parts of the country, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said yesterday.

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"There are about 300-plus illegal POGO hubs," Cruz said in an interview with "Storycon" on One News. "According to PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.), only around 48 or 49 registered with them and secured an IGL or internet gaming license."

“The rest of the 300-plus did not register… Since last year, they are operating without a license,” he added.

Cruz bared the extent of the problem as PAOCC continues with its search of the more than 40 POGO hubs that it raided last week in Porac, Pampanga.

“So far, we have already searched 18 buildings. We still have to search 25 more buildings,” Cruz said.

At least four sets of military uniforms were found during the raid, some of which have the initials PLA, which authorities suspect stands for the People’s Liberation Army, the armed component of the Chinese Communist Party.

The PAOCC is verifying the authenticity of the Chinese military uniforms, which may have been used to threaten POGO employees.