The Philippines Shuts Down Pogos: Are Deeper Issues Being Addressed?
For years, offshore gaming operators known as Pogos were thriving in the Philippines, bringing in billions of pesos and putting the country on the map for its gaming industry. However, they also came with a dark side, enabling activities like money laundering, human trafficking, and cyber fraud. Now, as Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s government races to shut down the remaining Pogos by year-end, concerns are mounting about whether the issue runs deeper than just eradicating these gambling hubs.
The Reign and Fall of Pogos
During their peak in 2019, almost 300 Pogo operators catered primarily to a Chinese clientele. Today, only 17 remain, with Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor) head Alejandro Tengco expecting all to cease operations by December 31st. This swift action comes after years of criticism and investigations revealing the industry’s negative repercussions.
A Deeper Rot: Unresolved Vulnerabilities
While authorities celebrate the impending closure of Pogos, critics argue that simply shutting down licensed businesses isn’t enough. Pagcor’s Tengco himself acknowledged that “simply eradicating Pogos is not enough,” fearing they could simply go underground and exploit the same vulnerabilities that enabled their growth.
“What was on trial … in our Senate hearings was the systems, the laws, the policies that made way for people like her – and perhaps even nations – to abuse and exploit the vulnerabilities of our institutions,”
—Senator Risa Hontiveros, who spearheaded a Senate investigation into a Pogo-linked human trafficking case involving former Bamban mayor Alice Guo
Moving Forward: A Call For Broad Reforms
While the closure of Pogos marks a significant step, the Philippines must address the root causes that allowed this industry to thrive alongside its illicit activities. This requires comprehensive reforms in governance, law enforcement, and regulatory frameworks to prevent similar exploitative systems from taking root.
What are your thoughts on the Philippines’ crackdown on Pogos? Do you think it goes far enough in addressing the underlying issues?
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