Philippines Strengthens POGO Ban Enforcement

The Philippine government has introduced a unified protocol aimed at strengthening coordination among agencies responsible for enforcing the nationwide ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The framework provides clearer legal authority and a structured approach to implementing the prohibition.

The standard operating procedure (SOP) was formalised on Wednesday at Malacañang Palace in Manila, with Executive Secretary Ralph Recto overseeing its signing. The initiative is designed to ensure full enforcement of directives issued in 2025 by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., including Executive Order No. 74 and the POGO Ban Act.

The new SOP consolidates these directives along with multiple existing laws and departmental orders into a single operational framework. It outlines processes covering intelligence gathering, enforcement actions, evidence documentation, prosecution and asset seizure, creating a unified workflow for handling illegal POGO activities.

The framework also establishes a consistent and legally grounded method for addressing cases involving unlicensed operators and related offences. By bringing various rules together, the government aims to reduce ambiguity and improve coordination among enforcement bodies.

Under the structure, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission will act as the lead coordinating agency. The Department of Justice will take a more active role by assigning prosecutors early in investigations to strengthen case development and improve conviction outcomes.

Financial oversight will be handled by the Anti-Money Laundering Council and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which will focus on tracing financial transactions and corporate links associated with illegal operations. The SOP also introduces procedures for managing and preserving seized assets.

In addition to enforcement, the framework incorporates a victim-focused approach. The Department of Social Welfare and Development will provide temporary shelter and support services, ensuring that trafficked individuals are protected and given access to assistance, including witness protection.

Recto described the SOP as a key step in advancing the government’s efforts to eliminate illegal POGO activity, noting that the new system is designed to move beyond shutdowns toward asset recovery, prosecution and dismantling of criminal networks.

He added that the initiative is intended not only to address existing violations but also to prevent the re-emergence of such operations, emphasising that authorities will continue to apply strict enforcement measures under the updated framework.