Foreign nationals illegally staying in the country and who were involved in illicit Philippine offshore gaming operators have been deported by the Bureau of Immigration as shown in this photo taken on Feb. 7, 2025. Senatorial bets from the administration’s Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday (Feb. 18) called for stricter enforcement of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to close down POGOs. (Photo courtesy of BI)
Senatorial candidates under the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas have urged law enforcement agencies to step up efforts in enforcing the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) exit policy, emphasizing that the issue lies in implementation rather than the need for new legislation.
At a Tuesday press conference at Citadines Bay City in Pasay City, Makati Mayor Abby Binay stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has already clarified his stance on banning POGOs. She said it is now the duty of law enforcement agencies to ensure the full shutdown of POGO hubs.
“The President has already spoken. It’s now up to the police, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to enforce it,” Binay said in a mix of Filipino and English.
No need for new laws
Binay argued that additional legislation is unnecessary since the problem stems from poor implementation and is not a legal loophole.
Former Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. echoed this sentiment, calling for better coordination between local and national authorities to monitor and shut down POGO operations.
Abalos proposed the immediate formation of a multi-agency task force consisting of:
- Local officials
- Village (barangay) leaders
- Bureau of Immigration (BI)
- Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR)
He said this group should regularly inspect business establishments to ensure no illegal POGO activities continue under different guises.
Enforcement hurdles
Despite the government’s clear directive, shutting down POGOs has proven challenging, with reports of some operators continuing operations discreetly. Critics argue that lax enforcement has allowed the industry to persist in some areas.
The administration’s hard stance on POGOs follows concerns over their alleged links to criminal activities, such as human trafficking, money laundering, and cyber fraud.
With the 2025 senatorial elections approaching, Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas candidates are positioning themselves as strong supporters of law enforcement and regulatory reforms, ensuring that government policies, including the POGO ban, are strictly followed.