POGOs Skirt Crackdown with Dozens Still Up and Running

New media reports have surfaced that the POGO sector in the Philippines has not been completely shuttled following Executive Order 74, a Presidential decree that essentially criminalized the activity and outlawed it last month.

POGOs Remain in Business but the Clock Is Ticking

Fast forward to December, and some operators continue to operate. As many as 47 are estimated to still be running operations despite the prohibition, although new plans expected to come later this month should see most of these remaining companies shuttered for good.

A confirmation from the Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has outlined a plan to ensure compliance with the executive order. POGOs will be targeted by local government and inspectors, who will ensure that they close down – failing to do so will elicit a firmer response from government officials, including raids on illegal venues.

POGOs have been a highly contentious topic in the Philippines. While revenue collected from POGOs helped the Southeast Asia nation alleviate the pains of declining tourism revenue and growing health bills during the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been little political will to maintain their status.

Geopolitical pressure has not helped. China, a regional behemoth, has been vociferous about its disapproval of the sector, arguing that it employed Chinese nationals, who often became the victims of human trafficking.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr finally acquiesced to Beijing’s demands to outlaw the sector altogether. Meanwhile, the country has issued a warning to POGO workers to voluntarily leave the country by December 31, or face deportation.

So far, as many as 20,000 foreign workers who were previously employed by the industry have left. However, not everyone can. The fear is that POGOs still serve as conduits of illegal gambling, and human trafficking.

Political Corruption and Human Trafficking

Politicians and POGOs have become enmeshed, making the issue even more sensitive to navigate.

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque could himself have been involved with at least one POGO facility, which was raided because of human trafficking and illegal gambling accusations levelled against it.

Rogue, who has denied the allegations of his involvement, though, has not stuck around to face his accusers but has fled to Abu Dhabi. He is currently preparing to fight the accusations in court.