The Philippine National Police (PNP) has expressed support for a newly signed interagency standard operating procedure (SOP) aimed at fully enforcing the government’s ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the unified framework will bolster efforts against illegal POGO activities, particularly those continuing to operate despite the nationwide ban.
He said the guidelines will enhance coordination among law enforcement agencies and partner institutions in implementing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive under Executive Order No. 74, which banned POGOs in November 2024.
According to Nartatez, the consolidated procedures will strengthen efforts to dismantle remaining “guerrilla-style” operations, with interagency cooperation key to the campaign’s success.
The SOP, signed by multiple government agencies, serves as a comprehensive enforcement framework that consolidates at least 15 laws and department orders into a single operational plan. It covers the full process from intelligence gathering and law enforcement operations to prosecution, asset forfeiture, and victim assistance.
Under the framework, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission will lead coordination, while the Department of Justice will deploy prosecutors early in case development. Financial tracking will be handled by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Securities and Exchange Commission, focusing on illicit transactions linked to illegal operations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide support services, including shelter and assistance for trafficking victims tied to POGO activities.
Nartatez said the approach marks a shift from shutting down operations to targeting the financial backbone of syndicates and securing convictions.
He added that law enforcement operations will continue until all remaining illegal POGO networks are dismantled.