Thousands of Chinese nationals who worked in now-closed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo) hubs still remain in the Philippines despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s total ban on the Pogo industry a year ago. This lingering presence highlights ongoing challenges in fully enforcing the Pogo ban and addressing related issues.
Some lawmakers believe the government has learned valuable lessons from the Pogo controversy. “I believe so. The Pogo ban demonstrates the government’s commitment to correcting the mistake of allowing Pogos into our country,” said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chair of the Senate committee on women, children, family relations, and gender equality, which led investigations into Pogo-related crimes.
Government’s Major Breakthrough Against Pogos
Hontiveros called the nationwide ban a “major breakthrough.” She emphasized that shutting down large Pogo scam hubs was a significant achievement, especially since these centers were linked to scamming, trafficking, and harm toward Filipinos and other nationals alike.
“Our Senate hearings revealed how Pogos exploited our institutions and corrupted officials to profit from innocent people. I hope these mistakes are never forgotten,” she added.
While thousands of foreign Pogo workers have been deported, Hontiveros noted that some operations have reorganized into smaller, covert scam networks. “There were reports of improper deportation procedures. We called on the Bureau of Immigration to ensure foreign Pogo workers actually return to their countries of origin and don’t go to Cambodia or Myanmar to victimize others,” she said.
According to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), over 9,000 former Pogo workers remain at large in the country as of June 2025.
Lawmakers See Progress and Remaining Challenges
Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, a strong critic of Pogos, said the ban’s effects are now clearer. “It’s only been six months since the ban in 2025. Let’s give it three to six months more until all Pogo remnants are gone,” he told local sources. “I think we’re seeing 90 to 95 percent of the remnants already gone. Their world is getting smaller.”
He added that many remaining workers likely do not engage in operations. “Some Pogo-connected people are trying to return, but they’re not necessarily operating. Once they go back to China, they will be detained, so they’re avoiding prosecution and hiding here,” said Gatchalian.
He said some were caught sneaking back through backdoors, but this is only a matter of time before all individuals linked to Pogos are eradicated. “These are not high-level criminals. Some were just trying to stay because they have girlfriends or babies here,” he noted.
Marcos’ Firm Pogo Ban
In his third State of the Nation Address last year, President Marcos ordered an immediate ban on Pogos and instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) to shut down all Pogo operations by December 31, 2024.
He then signed Executive Order No. 74, enforcing an outright ban on offshore and internet gaming. The EO cited national security and public order concerns, based on a Department of Finance study that highlighted the risks of Pogos, including increased crime, social instability, and exploitation. The Anti-Money Laundering Council also flagged Pogos for their vulnerability to money laundering, fraud, and other illicit activities threatening the financial system.
Despite the executive order, both Hontiveros and Gatchalian are hopeful that Marcos will approve Senate Bill No. 2868, the Anti-Pogo Act of 2025. This bill seeks to permanently prohibit the industry. The House of Representatives has adopted the Senate version, which bans the establishment, operation, and service provision of Pogos nationwide.
“This is the only thing missing. The EO can only do so much—it cannot go beyond the law,” said Gatchalian, the bill’s principal author. “This isn’t just a law—it’s the people’s demand to end the Pogo menace.”
Hontiveros stressed that the measure would guarantee the ban survives beyond the current administration. “Whoever sits in Malacañang, it won’t be easy to establish a Pogo scam hub in the country. We need this law to ensure Pogos never emerge again,” she said.
If enacted, the bill would repeal Republic Act No. 11590, which legitimized offshore gaming.
The Rise and Fall of Pogo Industry
The Pogo industry started in 2003 as an unregulated sector employing roughly 80,000 foreign workers. In August 2016, Pagcor issued rules that allowed the industry to flourish, especially under the Duterte administration, despite its increasing ties to organized crime.
Congressional hearings, triggered by raids on large Pogo complexes, uncovered allegations of killings, torture, trafficking, prostitution, and cyber scams. One notable case involved former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, also known as Guo Hua Ping. Senate inquiries found her to be an incorporator of Zun Yuan Technology Inc., a Pogo firm raided for alleged human trafficking and illegal detention.
Her nationality was questioned, and a Manila court declared her “undoubtedly a Chinese citizen,” disqualifying her from public office. Fingerprint analysis confirmed she and Guo Hua Ping are the same person. She is currently detained at Pasig City Jail facing multiple counts of money laundering and qualified trafficking.
Key Provisions in the Anti-Pogo Law
Once passed, the Anti-Pogo Act would:
- Penalize corrupt government workers who assist individuals with fraudulent documents in entering or leaving the country.
- Forfeit all Pogo-related assets to prevent their reuse in illegal activities.
- Create an Administrative Oversight Committee led by PAOCC to enforce the law.
“The measure not only bans offshore gaming but also provides safeguards for our people. We shouldn’t compromise public welfare for revenue from illegal and dirty businesses,” said Gatchalian.
Positive Impact of Pogo Ban
The ban has led to a reduction in Pogo-related crimes and restored peace in communities. “Before, kidnappings between Chinese groups were rampant. They had police escorts and intimidated neighbors. Now, that atmosphere of fear is gone,” Gatchalian said.
Hontiveros agreed, noting, “One year after the ban, Pogo-related crimes—scamming, trafficking, kidnapping—aren’t as rampant. Big syndicates, like Guo’s associates, have left. These are welcome developments. I trust law enforcers will continue cracking down on illegal centers.”
Gatchalian also credited the Pogo crackdown for the Philippines’ removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s gray list. “This is another big achievement. It reaffirms our position that the country is better off without Pogos,” he said, adding that the gray list removal could attract more foreign investments.
However, he cautioned that the government must remain vigilant in addressing risks and strengthening financial regulations.
Real Estate Market Adjusts After Pogo Exit
The Pogo shutdown also impacted real estate. While Pogos had driven a boom in office and residential demand, especially in Metro Manila, the ban caused occupancy and rental rates to drop.
Gatchalian viewed this as positive. “Prices have gone down, but now they’re at the correct level. Before, rental rates were inflated because Pogo workers could pay triple what locals could afford. Now, locals and even government agencies can rent again,” he explained.
“It’s fairer for the economy. Prices have reached a balanced level. If they fall below that, it won’t be good,” he added.
Accountability for Pogo Industry Failures
Both senators faulted Pagcor for the rise of illegal Pogos. “It’s a conflict of interest—being both operator and regulator,” said Gatchalian. “The regulator’s job is to prevent criminal activity, but it failed.”
Hontiveros shared this view. “Pagcor poorly regulated the industry. It approved operations that turned into scam hubs,” she said.
She also criticized the Bureau of Immigration’s Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) scheme under the Duterte administration, which led to the “Pastillas” bribery scandal. “It allowed Pogo workers, even fugitives, to enter without proper checks. Other schemes like fake alien employment permits worsened the situation.”
“I trust that PAOCC, PNP, NBI and BI continue working together on raids and rescues,” she added.
For more news and updates on Pogo ban, visit Filipinokami.com.
