THE Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) revealed that some 250 Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) operating without license may be involved in various crimes.
“Ang problema po talaga ay hindi ‘yung mga licensees ng Pagcor kundi ‘yung humigit kumulang siguro 250 diyan na mga hindi na napagkalooban ng lisensya muli. Patuloy pa rin ang kanilang paghahanapbuhay nang ilegal,” Pagcor chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said.
“They’re involved not in gaming activities but puro po criminal activities,” he added.
One of the unlicensed POGOs, Tengco said, include the hub in Porac, Pampanga, where authorities found illegal drugs, alleged Chinese army uniforms, and evidence of supposed torture and scam operations.
The Pagcor chief noted that only 46 POGOs are licensed and have rebranded as “internet gaming licensees” or IGLs.
Most of them are located in Metro Manila.
“Wala pong licensed POGO hub na katabi ng any military camp. Maliwanag po ‘yan na ilegal yung sinasabing hubs na nakadikit sa military hubs,” Tengco said.
But 3 licensed POGOs were recently suspended, he added.
“Yung tatlo po naramdaman namin na mayroon ding gawaing hindi nauukol sa ilalim ng mga bagong regulasyon ng Pagcor,” he said.
Earlier, Tengco said there was no need to outlaw POGOs.
“What we need to do is intensify anti-crime operations against suspected alien hackers, against scammers and cyber-criminals who are usually hiding in highly secured buildings and compounds,” Tengco had said.
