MANILA — The government agency leading the raids on illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators is confident that a "good number" of them would voluntarily leave the Philippines after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered their complete shutdown.

Marcos in his third State of the Nation Address on Monday directed officials to wind down the operations of all POGOs following pressure from officials, lawmakers, and the public due to many crimes linked to them.

He ordered their total shutter to be completed by the end of the year.

READ: Marcos: 'Effective today, all POGOs are banned'

In an interview with ANC on Tuesday, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio said the timeframe given by Marcos is sufficient.

"If all of the agencies of government will really get their heads together, get their acts together, then five months to six months is more than enough," he said.

He added that the agency can close down one POGO every two weeks with the cooperation of the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation.

And as they conduct the operations, he said they hope to send a "chilling effect" on remaining POGOs.

"I would imagine a good number of them would voluntarily leave the country," he added.

Casio however admitted that some POGOs would refuse to halt their operations in the country and would go underground. 

"That is the challenge," he said.

READ: Economic managers see POGO ban to improve investments, tourism

DOJ : BAN SHOWS FIRM RESOLVE 

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s order for the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator reflects the government's thrust to effectively and fairly administer justice. 

Remulla also stressed that the announcement of the ban came with the provision for the Department of Labor and Employment to find alternative livelihood to POGO workers who may be displaced by the order.

"Once again, the President's firm resolve to safeguard the rule of law and protect the most vulnerable members of society is crystal clear with his pronouncements and actions," Remulla said.

The ban was announced amid scrutiny by the legislature of crimes like investment scams, torture and human trafficking at POGO hubs that authorities have raided in Pampanga and Tarlac.

Raids on POGOs have often led to the rescue of dozens of foreign nationals working there without permits from the Philippine government.

Remulla's home province of Cavite has a POGO hub built on land that his family used to own, but Casio said earlier this month that "Island Cove together with the 42 other [Internet Gaming Licensees]" are checked regularly by PAGCOR.

"We have yet to receive anything concrete on Island Cove," Casio said of teh compound, which he said is the biggest with an area of 13 hectares.

The rest of the licensed POGOs are in cities of Metro Manila.

'PAMPANGA DOES NOT NEED POGOS'

Senior Deputy Speaker Aurelio "Dong" Gonzales Jr. of Pampanga's third legislative district in a separate statement said he supports the ban. 

"It is unfortunate that the presence of a suspected POGO hub in Porac town, which the authorities recently raided, has tarnished the image of our province," he said.

Gonzales added that the province does not need POGOs to prosper. 

PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco said Monday that the regulator is ready to implement Marcos' directive to shut down POGO operations by the end of the year.

"Dadami 'yong ilegal so kailangan talaga ang pakikipag-ugnayan sa law enforcement agencies," he added however.

(The number of illegal POGOs will increase, so coordination with law enforcement agencies is essential.) — with Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News

RELATED VIDEO: