THE growth of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) has often been discussed through the lens of revenue, employment and regulation. Yet beneath these economic arguments lies an urgent question. What is the social cost of POGOs, and what must the government do to protect communities?
One of the most serious social harms associated with POGOs is the risk of human exploitation, including trafficking, coercion and predatory recruitment practices. Workers — especially those who are young, migrant or financially vulnerable — may be drawn by promises of legitimate employment but later encounter unsafe conditions, withheld wages, or abusive working environments. The human rights dimension cannot be treated as a side issue. It is a central measure of whether the Philippines is upholding the dignity and rights of all persons within its borders.
Equally damaging is the way POGOs can intensify social disorder. The presence of high-cash-flow operations in concentrated areas may correlate with increases in petty crimes, illicit activities and incidents of violence, including those linked to gambling-related conflicts and organized criminal networks. Communities near POGO hubs often report not only fear but also disruption.
Moreover, POGOs can worsen economic inequality and labor instability. While some individuals may gain employment, the broader community may not necessarily benefit in equitable ways. In some regions, rapid inflows can inflate rents, increase competition in certain labor categories, and strain public services. At the same time, the demand for certain types of labor can encourage informal recruitment and irregular employment relationships.
All of these come to mind upon hearing the news that 244 foreigners, most of them Chinese, were arrested last Friday for suspected POGO activities in Zamboanga Sibugay. The operation in Barangay Kimos in Siay and Barangay Tandiong Muslim in Alicia is called the “largest POGO bust” of the year so far.
The Bureau of Immigration said that, “At the Siay operation, BI teams apprehended 113 foreign nationals, consisting of 110 Chinese nationals, two Cambodians, and one Hong Kong national. At the Alicia operation, another 131 foreign nationals were apprehended, mostly Chinese, along with nationals from Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.” The raid also yielded 78 computer monitors; 3,000 mobile phones, laptops and cellular SIM cards; and other technical devices suspected of being used for online scams.
Two years have passed since President Marcos announced in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) in July 2024 a total ban on POGOs. He cited “the grave abuse and disrespect to our system and laws... Effective today, all POGOs are banned,” adding: “I hereby instruct Pagcor to wind down and cease all operations of POGOs by the end of the year,” referring to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the country’s gaming industry regulator.
Marcos fired off Executive Order No. 74 on Nov. 5, 2024, formalizing the immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming in the country. That order was boosted by Republic Act 12312, also known as the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which the president signed into law on Oct. 23, 2025 and was published in the “Official Gazette” Oct. 29, 2025. Thus, the ban imposed by EO 74 has become a law.
While the majority of accredited POGO companies operating in the country shut down for good following the issuance of the law, a number seems to have just gone underground or turned themselves into online scam centers. They also relocated in far-flung areas, to avoid detection. If authorities are calling the latest crackdown as the “largest POGO bust” to date, the point is there are more out there, lurking in the shadows. They have split into smaller groups and just continued their sinister operations.
The breadth and impunity of the illegal operations uncovered in Zamboanga Sibugay indicate that the criminal syndicates behind POGOs and online scams continue to see the Philippines as a place where laws can be easily overturned. Their hidden activities may also be receiving protection and support from corrupt officials in government. How else could these complexes that employ hundreds of people and generate considerable economic and social presence be able to operate for long before their cover is blown?
Last month, the NBI also caught more than 120 Chinese nationals in a Makati facility styled as a call center. However, it was engaged in what the bureau described as a “lust scam” that used explicit videos to blackmail Filipino and foreign victims.
The POGOs are still here, like a chameleon, and they have to be stopped. The government officials who support them must also be charged.
