Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City. File 

MANILA – Some 250 Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) are operating without license and may be involved in various crimes, the country’s gaming regulator said Thursday. 

Unlicensed POGOs include the hub in Porac, Pampanga, where authorities recently found suspected illegal drugs, alleged  Chinese army uniforms, and evidence of supposed torture and scam operations, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) said. 

Porac POGO had no license to operate: PAGCOR doc

“Ang problema po talaga, hindi yung mga licensees ng Pagcor, kundi yung humigit kumulang siguro 250 dyan na mga hindi na napagkalooban ng lisensya muli ay patuloy pa rin ang kanilang paghahanapbuhay na ilegal,” Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said. 

“They're involved not in gaming activities, but puro po criminal activities,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.  

Criminal rings posing as POGOs a national security concern: DND

Pagcor earlier said authorities “ do not 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. 

Only 46 POGOs are licensed and have rebranded as “internet gaming licensees” or IGLs, Tengco noted. 

Most of them are located in Metro Manila, he added. 

“Wala pong licensed POGO hub na katabi ng any military camp... Maliwanag po yan ilegal na naman yung sinasabing hubs na nakadikit sa military hubs,” Tengco said. 

But 3 licensed POGOs were recently suspended, he said. 

“Yung tatlo po naramdaman namin na mayroon ding gawaing hindi nauukol sa...ilalim ng mga bagong regulasyon ng Pagcor,” he said. 

PORAC RAID 

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it might seek an extension of the 10 days that a court gave to complete the search on the 10-hectare POGO compound in Porac. 

Authorities have finished inspecting 36 out of 46 buildings in the compound, said PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz. 

“Sa tingin namin kailangan po mag-request kami ng extension kay judge po para makumpleto namin yung search,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo. 

“Hindi ho namin sinabay-sabay kasi ngayon, ang ginagawa ho namin per building... Kailangan maingat po tayo kasi ayaw nating may ma-miss tayong dokumento na puwede hong tumulong sa imbestigasyon,” he said. 

The official said some buildings in the “self-contained community” are 4 storeys high. 

The POGO compound has its own spas, restaurants, and a clinic, he said.