MANILA -- The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) said Sunday that the country does not need to outlaw offshore gaming operators (POGOs) as the real threat to national security are the alien hackings and scam syndicates.

“We 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,” PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said in a statement.

He added that the said syndicates are "not engaged in offshore gaming at all, and even if they are, they are doing it illegally."

"We should not blame and demonize our licensed gaming operators because these are closely monitored by PAGCOR," Tengco said.

He added that PAGCOR also embedded monitoring teams in all areas of licensed gaming operators "to ensure compliance with the terms of their licenses.

Last Thursday (June 6, 2024), another raid was conducted by authorities at a POGO hub in Porac, Pampanga where bundles of cash, assorted jewelry, and suspected illegal drugs were seized in at least 7 buildings.

Another raid at Porac POGO hub: Cash, jewelry, suspected drugs seized

On the same day, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) said it rescued an alleged torture victim in the said POGO hub.

Biktima umano ng torture sa Porac POGO hub nasagip: PAOCC

Authorities also said they found alleged torture devices in the same POGO hub when they searched the area on Saturday (June 8).

Meanwhile, controversial mayor Alice Guo earlier said PAGCOR is at fault for the rise of an illegal POGO hub in her town Bamban, Tarlac.

Guo lawyer says PAGCOR to blame for rise of illegal POGO hub in Bamban

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