Pagcor official calls for stricter rules to control Pogo operations
A Pagcor official has recommended the imposition of additional requirements to help the government halt the illegal activities of Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) in the country.
During the second hearing on the illegal operations of Lucky South 99 Outsourcing Inc., Pagcor assistant vice president Jessa Mariz Fernandez suggested that the registration process for Pogos in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) should be more stringent. She also proposed that internet providers for these hubs should be identified and agree to terminate services after reports of illegal activities.
The hearing, conducted by the Pampanga provincial board, focused on the activities of Lucky South which was raided by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) over reported human trafficking, torture, and money scams. Fernandez highlighted the need for better coordination with local governments to regulate Pogo operations.
According to Fernandez, Lucky South’s license had expired in 2023 and its operations in Porac were deemed illegal after a license renewal was denied in 2024. Additionally, the board uncovered connections between Whirlwind and Lucky South, revealing the same incorporators in both entities.
The Department of Labor and Employment reported issuing permits to 149 Lucky South workers while the Bureau of Immigration granted tourist visas to 883 foreigners, mostly Chinese, linked to the Pogo firm. The raid also uncovered a mansion in Porac constructed without a building permit and registered to a helper working for Lucky South.
The Pampanga chapter of the League of Municipalities of the Philippines has supported the banning of Pogos in the province, with Pineda stating that Lucky South had damaged the reputation of Pampanga. The provincial government has also reportedly lost revenues from real property taxes due to Lucky South’s operations.
Local officials are now being urged to assert their visitorial rights over suspicious establishments and personalities, with calls for a refresh on the Local Government Code of 1991 to address lapses in issuing permits and conducting inspections.
