A former lawmaker called on government agencies to intensify efforts to locate and monitor over 11,000 former Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers scattered across the country, citing potential national security concerns.
The former solon warned that some former POGO workers, particularly foreign nationals, may have remained in the Philippines and could operate under false identities or civilian covers, potentially acting as sleeper agents in strategic locations such as Palawan.
“Some Chinese nationals linked to POGO operations have adopted schemes including acquiring Filipino birth certificates and government-issued IDs, establishing businesses using questionable documents, and embedding themselves in local communities,” former Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbershe said.
He stressed that illegal POGO operations, some continuing in areas like Baclaran, Binondo, Parañaque, Cebu, and Palawan, often involve substantial funding and complex financial networks, with reports of multi-billion-peso compounds acquired through cash transactions with little traceability.
He highlighted previous cases discussed during House Quad Committee hearings, including foreign nationals allegedly using fraudulent documents to establish businesses, acquire property, and influence economic activity in Central Luzon and Metro Manila. He stressed that lapses in enforcement could allow foreign nationals to exploit loopholes and acquire Filipino identities.
While commending the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), and other agencies for ongoing operations against illegal offshore gaming activities, he emphasized that continuous monitoring and law enforcement are critical. “National security requires vigilance and sustained action against individuals who may be exploiting our systems and institutions for purposes contrary to our national interest,” the former solon stressed.
The call comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the POGO sector and its impact on national security, economic integrity, and community safety across the Philippines.