Illegal “Guerrilla POGOs” Defy Philippines Ban

Imagine waking up to a secret gambling operation entrenched in your peaceful suburban neighborhood.

That’s the shocking reality in Parañaque City, where guerrilla POGOs ignore a nationwide ban.

Picture concerned residents, government raids, and looming criminal ties, all fueling an urgent call to eradicate these hidden hubs.

Read on to uncover the unfolding battle for neighborhood safety, regulatory enforcement, and a crime-free community.

Philippines Cracks Down on ‘Guerrilla POGOs’: Illegal Gambling Hides in Residential Areas”

3 Key Points

1. I AM MULTI activists identified 16 alleged guerrilla POGOs in Multinational Village.
2. Despite the total ban, some illegal online gambling persists in discreet, residential locations.
3. Government raids intensify, with deadlines for local compliance and high-profile arrests of foreign nationals in Manila.

The Philippine government’s effort to ban POGOs—Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators—has run into yet another challenge. Despite an official ban that took effect on 1 January, a group of concerned citizens in Multinational Village in Parañaque City insists that guerrilla POGOs continue to thrive, burrowing into upscale neighborhoods and evading the authorities.

Local Residents Take a Stand
Driving this revelation is an organization called I AM MULTI. These dedicated neighbors have meticulously tracked suspicious houses they suspect of hosting illegal gambling. They report that at least 16 addresses in this high-end subdivision might be connected to POGOs. Instead of shutting down, these covert operators appear to have merely pivoted, using more stealth to disguise their presence.

In a letter to the Manila Standard, the group praised recent government efforts to stamp out suspected illegal gaming. However, they note the persistent nature of these rogue operations. The letter highlights that earlier raids cooled off brazen activity but did not eradicate it. Chinese nationals, who were previously visible, now act more carefully. The group calls this situation “guerilla,” referencing how these POGOs keep a low profile and reemerge after each crackdown.

POGOs, Past and Present
Previously, POGOs soared in popularity. Operators mainly catered to international customers over the internet, generating significant income streams. However, allegations linking POGOs to crime, from kidnappings to alleged prostitution rings, prompted the government to ban them outright. By law, no gambling operator can proceed without explicit governmental approval.

Enter I AM MULTI with serious allegations. They say that rogue operators exploit legal loopholes and continue unregulated in a “cat-and-mouse” approach. This defiance allegedly endangers neighborhood safety. The group claims to have documented two separate crimes involving Chinese nationals in December 2024 alone—a kidnapping on Andrew Street and another on John Paul Street. Such incidents correlate with the group’s suspicion that illicit gambling fosters an environment ripe for criminal networks.

Government’s Deadline and Response
On a broader scale, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla demanded local governments confirm the absence of POGOs in their communities by 10 January. He asserts that nearly all POGO-related activities in Metro Manila have been dismantled. Yet, he admits certain hotspots linger, especially in economic zones and free ports operating under looser regulations. Remulla vowed to tear down barriers and track them all if they remain.

Residents of Multinational Village remain skeptical of official optimism. I AM MULTI co-convenor Janet Ong notes that large structures reminiscent of prior POGO hubs continue to rise. Given that the subdivision is zoned for residential use, she questions how such buildings—even resembling small call centers—are still sprouting. This fuels the tension between government declarations and reality on the ground.

Military-Style Raids and Arrests
Complicating matters further is a recent operation by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), where nearly 400 foreign nationals were detained in Parañaque City. Authorities discovered illegal online scam operations presumably akin to POGO businesses, with gambling ventures overshadowing legitimate uses. The BI’s Intelligence Division led the raid, highlighting the infiltration of unregistered foreign workers. This underscores how certain foreign-run operations attempt to hide illicit gaming behind other business fronts.

POGO’s Legacy and the Road Ahead
The Philippines had seen a POGO boom prior to 2024, attracting foreign capital and swelling local rents. But mounting controversies led the administration to clamp down, culminating in an outright ban. Officials aimed to quell crimes such as fraud, human trafficking, and kidnapping, often linked to unscrupulous POGOs.

Now, with news of guerilla POGOs lodging themselves in residential enclaves, the government must refine its strategy. Raids and high-profile arrests are part of the puzzle, but authorities also face the challenge of verifying tip-offs from residents. Maintaining a strong intelligence network is crucial.

Meanwhile, I AM MULTI stands resolute. They vow to help law enforcement by sharing evidence—like suspicious building addresses—hoping to expedite raids and push for genuine closure. They recall how their initial exposé in 2024 spurred a national wave of condemnation, eventually leading to the total ban on POGOs. Yet, their fight is far from over because real progress demands consistent, rigorous enforcement.

Despite the Philippine ban on POGOs, some operators manage to stay afloat in quiet corners of upscale neighborhoods. The conflict between official claims of effective eradication and Multinational Village residents’ direct observations underscores the complexity of battling illegal gambling. High-profile raids might take some players off the grid, but new forms of covert operations arise. For local communities disturbed by crime, the lingering question remains: can the government bring genuine, long-term change? With each new claim of guerrilla POGO activity, it becomes clearer that the path to a fully POGO-free Philippines hinges on tenacious oversight and unwavering cooperation between residents, law enforcement, and policy-makers.