Senator Risa Hontiveros has called on the Marcos administration to impose a moratorium on all online casino operations following reports that former employees of banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos) have continued working for rebranded internet gambling firms.
Hontiveros raised her concerns at a Senate forum, warning that existing law enforcement efforts have not been sufficient to curb these illegal operations. She pointed to loopholes in Executive Order No. 74, which mandated the shutdown of all Pogos by the end of 2024, and suggested that a temporary suspension of online casinos could help prevent further exploitation.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that around 11,000 foreign nationals, mostly former Pogo workers, remain in the country. Authorities have been working to deport them, with Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirming the apprehension of over 500 individuals in recent operations across Parañaque, Cavite, and Pasay. On Tuesday, 98 Chinese nationals were deported to Xi’an, China, bringing the total number of deportees to 226.
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval acknowledged the challenge of tracking down these individuals, noting that many have dispersed into smaller groups and relocated to residential areas. Reports also indicate that some operations have spread to provinces outside Metro Manila.
Hontiveros warned that Pogo financiers and bosses continue to oversee these illegal activities, evolving their tactics to avoid detection. She cited a scheme in which Filipinos are lured into free trips abroad, only to be forced into working in scam hubs in countries like Cambodia and Myanmar. At least 12 victims are still awaiting repatriation, with one reportedly suffering abuse from her employer.
Meanwhile, Beijing reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on gambling-related crimes and called on Manila to uphold the rights of Chinese nationals affected by the crackdown.
Hontiveros also raised concerns over the reappearance of scam text messages, which had significantly decreased following the announcement of the Pogo ban last year. She warned that this could be a sign that reinvented Pogos are regaining their foothold in the country.
