15-10-2024 (MANILA) The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) of the Philippines has launched a comprehensive crackdown on over 100 small-scale illegal gambling operators across the archipelago, following the disintegration of large Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) into smaller units.
In a statement to state broadcaster PTV on Tuesday, PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio revealed that these illicit operations have spread throughout Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, presenting a significant challenge to law enforcement efforts.
“What were once operations employing hundreds or thousands have now splintered into smaller units, significantly increasing their number,” Casio explained. “The real challenge lies in the sheer volume of underground operations. We’re grappling with a substantial number, and it’s proving difficult to keep pace.”
Casio expressed gratitude for the assistance provided by local government units and other government agencies in their ongoing efforts to combat these illegal activities.
The PAOCC is not only targeting domestic operators but also monitoring potential foreign financiers. Casio disclosed that the commission has identified leads on Chinese and Malaysian-Chinese nationals suspected of bankrolling illegal gambling ventures.
“We’re currently developing robust cases to secure search warrants and mission orders,” Casio stated. “We anticipate making significant arrests in the coming days and weeks.”
In a stern warning to property owners, Casio urged vigilance and cooperation with authorities. “We implore Filipino real estate owners to conduct thorough due diligence and promptly report any suspicious activities in their rented properties,” he said. “Failure to do so could result in property closure and civil forfeiture proceedings.”
The PAOCC’s efforts extend beyond traditional gambling operations. Casio revealed that the commission is also keeping a close eye on local individuals attempting to fill the void left by international POGO operators in scamming operations.
This latest crackdown underscores the evolving nature of illegal gambling in the Philippines. As large-scale POGOs have been forced to cease operations or leave the country due to increased scrutiny and regulation, smaller, more agile operations have emerged, presenting new challenges for law enforcement.
The fragmentation of these illegal operations has made them more difficult to detect and shut down, requiring a more nuanced and widespread approach from the PAOCC and other government agencies.
The commission’s focus on potential foreign financiers highlights the international dimension of the problem, suggesting that despite the Philippines’ efforts to regulate and control offshore gaming, foreign interests continue to find ways to operate illicitly within the country.
