Operatives of PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group process seized computers and cellphones used for alleged illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming operation in Almanza Uno in Las Pinas City on Monday evening. ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Over 22,000 foreign workers from the outlawed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry had left the Philippines by the end of 2024, a Bureau of Immigration (BI) official told a Senate panel Thursday.

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That leaves more than 11,000 of the 33,863 registered foreign POGO workers who are still in the Philippines. 

"So yung mga natitira ho dito na non-compliant, yan po yung subject of our law enforcement operations (So those who stayed are non-complaint, they are the subjects of our law enforcement operations)," BI chief legal officer Arvin Santos told the Senate Committee on Games and Amusements.

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The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) told the panel that prior to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s decision to ban POGOs, there were 42 internet gaming licenses, 7 gaming content providers, and 11 support providers in the industry.

All the licenses of those firms have been cancelled, Pagcor Assistant Vice President for Offshore Gaming Licensing Department Jessa Mariz Fernandez told the panel.

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"As of January 1, 2025 po, all 42 internet gaming licensees and all 18 authorized providers are already canceled po," Fernandez said.

Pagcor Senior Vice President for Security and Monitoring Cluster Raul Villanueva told the panel that that those left behind have gone on "guerrilla" operations — a term authorities use for smaller operations run in secret .

"We have plenty of targets now because some of these have gone on guerrilla operations already," Villanueva said.

Villanueva said they have gotten emails from concerned citizens complaining about these rogue POGOs.

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Pagcor also said they have reported about 276 illegal websites, which included e-sabong, online casino games, and others connected with POGO. However, only 136 have been blocked.

Marcos banned POGOs last year after these were linked to illegal activities like kidnapping, online scams, human trafficking and even torture.

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