The Philippine Senate is preparing for its final hearing on allegations of illegal activities within Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and the dismissal of Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo. Senator Risa Hontiveros announced new intelligence pointing to the involvement of Chinese spies operating within POGO establishments, intensifying the gravity of the inquiry.
Scheduled for 26 November, the hearing will also scrutinise the executive order issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that banned POGOs nationwide. Hontiveros flagged ambiguities in the directive, emphasising that these policy gaps, coupled with criminal activities linked to POGOs, necessitate urgent legislative reforms to close loopholes and safeguard national security.
Surge in “guerilla scam operations”
In the wake of the POGO ban, Hontiveros said a troubling trend has emerged: the proliferation of “guerilla scam operations.” These covert schemes have reportedly stepped into the void left by POGOs and are proving even more challenging to detect and dismantle.
During Senate discussions on the 2025 budget for the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Hontiveros expressed concern over scams involving deceptive text messages. These scams offer fake job opportunities or advertise fraudulent property sales, exploiting unsuspecting victims.
The Cybercrime Investigation Coordinating Center (CICC), alongside law enforcement, has taken steps to tackle these schemes, dismantling 11 scam hubs to date. However, decentralised operations and evolving tactics make enforcement an ongoing challenge.
Intensifying the fight against cybercrime
Efforts to combat cyber scams have been bolstered by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), which reported significant progress in curbing fraudulent activities. As of September 2024, the NTC had blocked over two billion spam messages, deactivated more than two million SIM cards, and blacklisted nearly 11 million mobile numbers. Telecommunications providers have also been instructed to implement stricter SIM card registration protocols to curb misuse.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, tasked with overseeing the DICT budget, highlighted the importance of advanced technology in identifying and eliminating scam hubs. Plans are in motion to discuss methodologies in an executive session, aiming to refine detection and prevention strategies further.
A call for legislative and technological advancements
As the Senate wraps up its investigation into POGOs and their aftermath, lawmakers are pushing for comprehensive legislative amendments and innovative technological solutions. These measures aim to address policy gaps, strengthen enforcement capabilities, and adapt to emerging threats in an increasingly digital world.
The forthcoming hearing is expected to consolidate findings from the POGO investigation and chart a path forward, ensuring national security and protecting citizens from evolving cyber threats. It underscores the critical need for vigilance and reform in the face of sophisticated criminal operations.
Subscribe to SiGMA’s Top 10 News countdown and SiGMA’s Weekly Newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest iGaming News, and benefit from Subscriber-Only Offers.
