POGO Investigation: Banned Gaming Industry Linked to Land Theft and Drug Trade

(AsiaGameHub) –   The National Bureau of Investigation-National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) announced on Monday that it is investigating allegations of rural land theft in Bataan Province, with the land reportedly transferred to a company linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs).

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had banned the country’s POGO industry, which has been associated with crime, in 2024, mandating their exit by 2025. Over a year later, the repercussions of POGO operations continue to be felt.

Local farmers have stated that the rural land parcels were transferred illegally, without the authorization of the Department of Agrarian Reform, to a holding company connected to Harry Roque. Roque, an attorney and self-proclaimed human rights advocate, previously served as the spokesperson for former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Last year, prosecutors filed charges of qualified human trafficking against Roque in connection with a POGO operation in Pampanga. Shortly thereafter, Roque reportedly left the Philippines and is now believed to be residing in Austria.

According to the NBI-NCR, “preliminary information indicates the possible falsification of documents” in relation to the land transfers, raising “serious concerns about the validity and legality” of the process. The bureau has committed to a thorough investigation of the land-grab allegations and will pursue prosecution if warranted.

The rise and fall of POGOs

POGOs were legalized in 2016 during the Duterte administration and generated substantial government revenue, amounting to PHP5.17 billion (US$86 million) in 2023, with projections of PHP7 billion for 2024. The industry began to face scrutiny following raids on several POGO establishments that uncovered evidence of criminal activities, including online love and crypto scams, as well as forced labor.

In his 2024 State of the Nation address, President Marcos stated that “disguising as legitimate entities, the operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming,” listing offenses such as “financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture – even murder.”

Based on these allegations, he ordered the shutdown of all POGOs, both legitimate and otherwise, by the end of the year.

In October of that year, as the industry was ostensibly winding down, police raided Central One Bataan Inc., a business process outsourcing company allegedly operating as a front for a POGO. This company was not registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the regulatory body for the domestic gaming industry. Central One has denied the allegations.

POGOs also linked to drug trade

In related developments, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated at a press briefing on Tuesday that Chinese nationals associated with POGOs are responsible for leading most of the active drug syndicates in the country.

Remulla described POGOs as “a plague on the Philippines,” telling reporters that the country is “paying for the effects of those POGOs” from 2016 to the present. He added that “almost all the syndicates we’ve caught here are led by Chinese nationals using visas from POGOs.”

On Tuesday, Remulla, alongside representatives from national law enforcement, participated in the burning of PHP4.56 billion worth of illegal drugs in Trece Martires City. This amount represents the drugs confiscated in illegal drug cases over the past six months alone.