Gov't to run down all underground POGOS

BBM: They will face full force of the law

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

committee of the representatives yesterday-former Philippine Cement Agency Director General Wilkins in contempt for lying and police Col. Hector Grijaldo in contempt and ordered his arrest after he failed to attend a hearing for the fourth time. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, quad comm lead chair, ordered a copy of the arrest order to be sent to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for implementation. However, in Villanueva's case, Barbers said the implementation would be delayed, in the spirit of Christmas, to Jan. 13, 2025 when the House

Violators of the total ban on Philippine offshore gaming operators would face the full force of the law, President Marcos warned, as the government braces for the "guerrilla" operations of former employees of shuttered POGOs.

The licenses of all POGOs will be canceled on Dec. 15 and there will be no renewal of permits for the succeeding year, according to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR). However, authorities expect rogue POGOs to operate in small houses, apartments, condominiums, subdivisions or resorts despite the ban.

"They will not be allowed to wreak havoc again. Whoever attempts to engage in illegal operations will face the full force of the law," Marcos declared in a Facebook post last Wednesday.

During this year's second Joint National Peace and Order Council-Regional Peace and Order Councils meeting held yesterday at Camp Crame, Marcos ordered law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies to conduct smaller but multiple operations against POGOs.