Tracker teams formed vs POGOs in Metro Manila

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group - National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR) has deployed tracker teams to locate and shut down banned Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) still operating in Metro Manila, officials announced Monday.

CIDG-NCR chief Police Colonel Marlon Quimno said the teams were working closely with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) to track down illegal operators.

“We have teams in PNP-CIDG-NCR and these teams are being supported and kasama po namin ang PAOCC because as we have known the PAOCC is the lead agency in particular operations in POGO operations,” Quimno said in a press briefing. 

(We have teams in PNP-CIDG-NCR, supported by the PAOCC, which leads operations against illegal POGOs.)

He noted that despite the crackdown, many illegal POGOs have shifted to smaller, more discreet "guerilla-style" operations, making enforcement more challenging.

“Sa ngayon, ang tipikal is guerilla operations, yung sa isang room, 15 lang sila, 20 lang sila so madali lang silang maka-operate. We are sure that there are still many POGO operations yung mga guerilla,” Quimno said. 

(These groups now operate in small setups—just 15 to 20 people in a single room—allowing them to move easily. We are certain that many such operations still exist.)

While there is no set timeline for eradicating illegal POGOs, Quimno emphasized that authorities are actively verifying all reports they receive via SMS, email, and other sources.

“We don’t have a timelime for now but dahil nga sa sobrang dami ng information like even SMS or email. Lahat po yan vine-verify po natin, wala po tayong pinapalampas dyan,” he assured.

(We don’t overlook any tip—every piece of information is being investigated.) 

On Sunday, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian revealed that POGO leaders remain in the Philippines and continue engaging in illegal activities, including "pocket scams" and kidnapping each other.

“‘Yung iba dito ay pumasok sila dito gamit ‘yung kanilang working visa, ‘yung iba ay nagtatago. ‘Yung mga nananatili dito, ito ‘yung ayaw bumalik ng China kasi mahigpit ang China,” Gatchalian said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

(Some entered the country using work visas, while others are in hiding. Many refuse to return to China due to stricter regulations there.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News