On December 17, 2024, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, PNP Chief, had joined the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, Honorable Jonvic Remulla; Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, Executive Director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission; and Mr. Alejandro H. Tengco, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, in the inspection of the biggest Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) hub located at Island Cove in Kawit, Cavite, officially marking the total closure of all of its operations. Representatives from the Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration and local government of Cavite were also present.
The Island Cove POGO hub is reportedly the last operating POGO hub in the Philippines, and its closure marks the country’s tremendous success in implementing a total ban to all POGOs operating across the archipelago.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., had declared during his most recent State of the Nation Address, the government’s strong will under his leadership to eliminate all POGOs, following various crimes and syndicates related to POGO operations were exposed and uncovered, to include human trafficking, sexual abuse and the like.
PBBM had issued Executive Order No. 74 on November 5, 2024, imposing an immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming in the country. Upon signing the said EO, he reiterated that โthe State has the paramount duty to safeguard national security, maintain public order, uphold the rule of law, protect the safety of its citizens, and ensure the integrity of the social fabric of the nation.โ
The Philippine National Police remains committed to its mission in addressing from the adverse impacts linked to POGO operations, including rising crime rates, social instability, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The entire Nation’s Peacekeeper urges the public to remain vigilant and report any information related to POGO and other illegal activities operating within their areas and localities, citing PNP and the community’s shared commitment to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the integrity and safety of our nation.
