Search Results

The NBI has subpoenaed the owner and executives of a building in Davao del Norte over an alleged POGO operation fronted as a plastic warehouse.  The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) wants to summon the owner and executives of a building in Davao del Norte over an alleged POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator) operation located in the province. The NBI is currently investigating a POGO operation in Panabo City, Davao del Norte, and has already subpoenaed local officials.  Ely Leano, spokesperson for the NBI's southeastern Mindanao regional office (Semro), confirmed in an Inquirer report that the agency has seized over 50 computers during the December 6, 2024 raid.  “We have already subpoenaed the barangay kagawad [councilor] and barangay captain and city officials involved in issuing the permits,” he said. NBI is now preparing subpoenas for the land and building owner of the two-hectare warehouse, along with several city officials. The warehouse, which had been used for agricultural storage, was illicitly transformed into a POGO hub.  This investigation aims to determine how the POGO operation was able to establish itself in Panabo City.   Following the raid, NBI filed cases of syndicated estafa and online illegal gambling against 59 individuals found working at the facility, all in violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. This operation, spanning three months, was allegedly owned by the Chinese company Jinsheng International. The raid was initiated after a tip from a Malaysian POGO worker, known only as Ruby Lim, who had been kidnapped and detained at the site. NBI-Davao spokesperson Ely Leano revealed that the arrested individuals were likely remnants of POGO operations that had been shut down in Luzon.  Read related article: NBI Cracks Down on Illegal POGO Hub in Davao del Norte

The Philippine government has begun revoking the licenses of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), which took effect December 15, 2024.  The Philippine government has revoked the licenses of all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).  The order took effect on December 15, 2024.  Gilbert Cruz, Executive Director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), has stated that his agency will be conducting inspections on the remaining POGOs to ensure they have completely ceased operations as mandated by the government. The PAOCC has obtained a list of these remaining POGOs from PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation) and plans to conduct thorough inspections to verify that they have indeed shut down. Cruz expressed concern that some POGOs might claim to have stopped operations while continuing their activities in secret. “Merong listahan na binigay sa amin ang PAGCOR, yung mga naiwan na 20 [POGOs] na supposed to be nag wind down na rin, tumigil na rin. So ang gagawin namin dyan, iinspeksyunin namin yung remaining days hanggang sa katapusan,” Cruz said.  (PAGCOR gave us a list of the 20 POGOs which have supposedly wound down, to make sure they have ceased their operations. So what we’re going to do is we will inspect the remaining days.)  Additionally, Cruz mentioned that the PAOCC will be targeting smaller-scale POGO operations that have moved to hidden locations such as resorts, condominiums, and subdivisions. These smaller operations often involve a limited number of employees and are harder to detect. The agency plans to crack down on these hidden operations in the coming year. READ : DICT Sees Drop in Text Scams as POGO Deadline Nears Furthermore, Cruz confirmed that approximately 2,500 foreign nationals involved in POGOs have already been deported. He indicated that the government anticipates deporting more foreign nationals associated with these operations in the near future. POGOs are businesses that offer online gambling services to customers overseas. They have become increasingly popular in the Philippines in recent years, with estimates suggesting that there are now hundreds of POGO operations in the country. The growth of the POGO industry has been accompanied by a number of social problems, including crime, prostitution, and money laundering. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his State of the Nation Address (SONA) ordered POGOs gone by the end of the year, amid cybersecurity concerns and geopolitical tensions with China, where most of these POGO workers allegedly come from.  The government has said that it is committed to helping those who will be affected by the POGO crackdown. It has said that it will provide assistance to foreign workers who are deported, and that it will help Filipinos who lose their jobs in the POGO industry to find new employment. Read related article: POGOs Brought in P166.49 Billion According to Dept of Finance

Cassandra Ong could still face detention if new arrest warrants are issued against her. Meanwhile, the contempt charge against Harry Roque is still in place. The Philippine House of Representatives Quad Committee has ordered the release of Cassandra Ong, a 24-year-old worker linked to a controversial Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. Ong, who had been detained for almost four months on a contempt charge, was freed after the committee lifted the charge during its final hearing of the year on December 12, 2024. Documents reveal that Ong served as a representative for the POGO licensee in Porac and was listed as an incorporator of Whirlwind Corp. She has also been described as a middle manager in the organization.  Ong remains a central figure in the ongoing investigation into the POGO operations in Porac, Pampanga, and a similar scam hub in Bamban, Tarlac. These locations have been connected to the dismissed mayor Alice Guo, a key figure in the alleged illicit activities.   Despite the allegations, Ong has repeatedly denied any involvement in illegal activities, maintaining that she was not a “dummy” for the operations, as some reports had suggested.  Ong has been tagged as an alleged accomplice of Alice Guo. Notably, Ong's boyfriend happens to be Guo's brother. Quad Committee chairperson Representative Ace Barbers confirmed the decision in a statement to reporters, explaining that the contempt charge against Ong was no longer necessary.  "I just signed earlier an order addressed to the Correctional Institute for Women (CIW) to release her, so maybe tomorrow [December 13] she will be freed," Barbers said shortly after the committee meeting concluded at around 10 p.m. Ong’s legal team had previously argued that her detention was causing significant harm to her mental health. She had been held at the CIW, a facility designed for convicted women, since late September. The committee’s decision to lift the charge comes after Ong’s request for release, citing the toll her incarceration was taking on her mental wellbeing. Barbers, however, stated that the committee had already gathered enough information from Ong’s testimony to proceed with their investigation. "Wala na kaming makukuhang iba pang information (We can no longer extract more information from her), and what she has said before the committee is sufficient enough for us to write our committee report," he remarked. With this, the committee will now focus on compiling its findings and preparing a report for submission. Despite her release, Ong still faces multiple serious charges, including human trafficking and money laundering. These complaints remain pending before prosecutors. As of now, the charges have not resulted in formal arrests, meaning Ong’s release is contingent upon further legal developments. If the charges proceed, she could still face detention if new arrest warrants are issued. Harry Roque Contempt Charge Still in Place One of the more high-profile figures still facing contempt charges is Harry Roque, former spokesperson for President Rodrigo Duterte. Roque, who has been linked to the Porac POGO operations, failed to appear before the committee and is said to be abroad. The committee has confirmed that Roque submitted his counter-affidavit from the United Arab Emirates but has not yet been released from contempt.  Barbers confirmed that the contempt charge against Roque would remain in place until the committee’s hearings conclude, which are scheduled to resume in mid-January. Roque is facing similar charges related to human trafficking and money laundering, stemming from his alleged role in helping Ong arrange meetings with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to renew the POGO license in Porac. Barbers also mentioned that the committee was vetting a new witness who could provide fresh information on the POGO network. "It’s an entirely new information, so we’re trying to assess and probably a witness will come out," he revealed, though he declined to provide further details. The case involving Ong and the broader POGO network has drawn significant public attention, particularly due to the involvement of high-profile figures and the serious criminal charges being leveled against them. The investigation is part of a larger effort by the government to crack down on illegal activities within the POGO industry, which has been linked to human trafficking, money laundering, and other criminal enterprises. Ong’s initial detention was controversial. She was first cited in contempt by the House Quad Committee in August. A second contempt order was issued in September when she refused to cooperate during the committee’s questioning. Prior to her detention at CIW, Ong had been held at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after she was intercepted in Indonesia.  Ong's lawyer, Ferdinand Topacio, argued that her initial detention was illegal, asserting that she had left the country legally, and no contempt charge had been filed at that time.  Read related article: Contempt Orders vs. Cassie Ong, Alice Guo, Tony Yang Lifted

Alice Guo, Tony Yang, and Cassandra Ong were previously held in contempt for various reasons during the investigation on their links to POGOs. A congressional panel in the Philippines has lifted contempt orders against several key individuals linked to the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry, including Alice Guo, Cassandra “Cassie” Ong, and Tony Yang. Lawmakers cited multiple reasons.  These individuals were previously held in contempt for various reasons during the investigation on their links to POGOs. Reports indicate that this stemmed from their perceived lack of cooperation, evasive answers, or failure to provide information deemed crucial to the probe. Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Stephen Paduano said former Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Guo, who is accused of being Chinese national Guo Hua Ping, was already detained due to an active criminal case. “Since Alice Guo is now detained by virtue of the court order, I move that we now lift the contempt order versus Guo Hua Ping alias Alice Guo,” Paduano was quoted as saying in a GMA News Online report. Alice Guo remains in detention due to the said criminal case.  Guo was cited for contempt by the QuadComm in September for refusing to answer questions. Meanwhile, Paduano moved to lift the contempt and detention order against Ong because of her medical condition. “She is sick. She is currently detained at the Correctional Institution for Women and the doctors of the CIW and the House of Representatives confirm that she is not fit to attend and withstand the congressional hearings,” Paduano shared. A similar motion was filed and carried for Yang, who Paduano says is confined at a hospital in Taguig “with a doctor’s certificate.”  Yang is under the custody of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).Yang has been held at the PAOCC facility since being found in contempt for providing false statements. The Chinese national previously acknowledged that he had fabricated his Filipino citizenship. He is the sibling of Michael Yang, who served as an economic adviser to former President Rodrigo Duterte . Last week, Yang’s attorney, Atty. Raymond Fortun, revealed that his client had been diagnosed with a lung condition before his arrest in September. Police Major Leo Laraga’s contempt order was also lifted “in the spirit of Christmas.” He was of one of the police officers who served a search warrant to the late Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa. The lifting of contempt orders for Guo, Ong, and Yang is a significant development in the POGO probe. Its impact on the overall investigation remains to be seen, but it signifies a shift in the panel's approach and potentially opens new avenues for gathering information. Further details are expected as the inquiry progresses, clarifying the reasons for the lifted orders and the ongoing detention of Alice Guo. Read related article: POGOs Brought in P166.49 Billion According to Dept of Finance

Harry Roque is still not off the hook after a House panel decided to lift the contempt order against some key individuals linked to POGO-related activities House quad committee chairman Robert Ace Barbers said Harry Roque is still not off the hook after the panel decided to lift the contempt order against some key individuals linked to Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). Barbers said former Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesperson still has “a lot of explaining to do” as reported by the Manila Bulletin. Roque and his wife Mylah have been cited in contempt for allegedly disregarding summons to show to hearings and arrest orders.  “Si Atty. Harry Roque ang nagsilbing abogado ng Lucky South at iyan ay napatunayan sa kanyang pakikipag-pulong kay PAGCOR Chairman Al Tengco (Atty. Harry Roque served as the lawyer of Lucky South and that was proven through his meetings with PAGCOR Chairman Al Tengco),” said the Mindanao lawmaker on December 12, 2024. Rep. Dan Fernandez accused Atty. Roque of links to Chinese fugitives operating from Pinewoods Village in Benguet. He alleged that Roque and his wife control the company owning the property.  Fernandez also pointed out that Roque accompanied Cassandra Ong to a PAGCOR meeting to discuss licensing and liabilities. The property was rented by Chinese fugitives who were later arrested, raising further questions. Roque denied any wrongdoing, stating his involvement with PAGCOR was strictly legal work. Santa Rosa City Representative Dan Fernandez accused Roque of ties to Chinese fugitives operating from Pinewoods Village in Benguet, alleging Roque and his wife own a company controlling the property. He also said Roque attended meetings with PAGCOR officials regarding licenses and liabilities.  “Mismong ang chairman ng PAGCOR ang nagpatunay na sinamahan ni Atty. Roque si Cassandra Ong sa isang meeting upang talakayin ang lisensya ng PAGCOR at mga utang ng Lucky South 99 (The PAGCOR chairman himself attested that Atty. Roque accompanied Cassandra Ong in a meeting to discuss the PAGCOR license and the liabilities of Lucky South 99),” he said, as quoted by the same Manila Bulletin report. READ: House Panel Pushes for Harry Roque's Surrender, Cites Urgency The hearings revealed systemic violence and corruption, including testimonies about a "reward system" for killing drug suspects during Duterte's presidency, with payouts reaching up to P1 million. Barbers condemned attempts to discredit the investigation, reaffirming the panel’s commitment to uncovering the truth. He thanked the public for their trust and support in the pursuit of justice. Read related article: Quad Comm Frees POGO Incorporator Cassandra Ong

The Philippine government is requiring local government units to report any POGO-related activities.  The Philippine government is ramping up its efforts to eradicate illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), as they required local government units to report any POGO-related activities.  Jonvic Remulla, Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), said this includes sudden spikes in internet usage, gatherings of foreign nationals in unregistered establishments, and attempts to set up new POGO operations. “Malalaman iyan sa spike bigla ng bandwidth use, entry of suspicious people congregating in houses not registered as businesses, makikita iyan sa movement ng mga foreigners na gustong mag-setup diyan na hindi naman kilala (This can be identified through a sudden spike in bandwidth usage, the entry of suspicious individuals gathering in houses not registered as businesses, and the movement of foreigners attempting to set up operations without proper identification),” he said, as reported by the Inquirer.  The government has also set a deadline of December 15, 2024 for the automatic cancellation of all POGO licenses,  following a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  Authorities estimate that there are still rogue POGOs currently operating in various locations, including residential areas, hotels, and resorts. These illegal operations are often run by former POGO employees whose companies have already ceased operations.  Remulla said that 28 local government units were listed to have been issued Pogo licenses based on PAGCOR data. “So, they [LGUs] were enjoined to inspect [the facilities] to make sure there are no activities,” he pointed out. The crackdown on POGOs is part of the government's broader strategy to phase out POGO operations by the end of 2024, citing concerns over tax evasion, money laundering, and social issues.   Read related article: POGOs Brought in P166.49 Billion According to Dept of Finance

The operator of the Island Cove Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Kawit, Cavite, has denied allegations of torture, human trafficking, and espionage.  First Orient International Ventures Group, the operator of the Island Cove Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator hub in Kawit, Cavite, has denied allegations of torture, human trafficking, and espionage as it closed down.  Authorities inspected Island Cove on December 11, 2024. The facility shut down earlier in the month–less than a month before the December 31 deadline set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. regarding the operations of offshore gaming hubs in the Philippines.  “Walang torture, walang human trafficking walang kahit anong illegal dito (There is no torture, no human trafficking, and no illegal activity here),” said Ron Lim, the general manager of First Orient.  He added: “Marami pong nagsasabi na dito ay maraming Chinese spy. Yon ay pawang mga kasinungalingan. Lahat po ng empleyadong nagtrabaho dito ay may valid na visa galing sa Bureau of Immigration.”  (Many have claimed that this place is a hub for Chinese spies, but these are mere lies. All employees here have valid visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration.)  Lim also clarified that the Remulla family no longer has any involvement in the property. "First Orient has changed ownership," he added. The POGO hub, which has been undergoing partial demolition as part of a government crackdown on the industry, has significantly impacted the local economy.  Rey Santos, the municipal administrator of Kawit, expressed concern over the loss of revenue from RPT payments made by POGO operators. "It's like a ghost town," he said. "We will lose a significant portion of our revenue, around P40 million annually." PAGCOR, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, has confirmed that only seven out of 60 POGO operators in the hub are currently undergoing the closure process. The agency stated that the operators are cooperating with the government in the cancellation of their licenses. However, they noted that only 7 out of the 60 offshore gaming hubs are undergoing the closure process. Read related article: Island Cove POGO Hub Closes Ahead of Dec 31 Deadline (Want to learn how to bet in Esports? Read the ACN Guide to Esports Betting )

Harry Roque and his wife Mylah are still in the UAE, and the embassy is awaiting confirmation if they can use the arrest order from the House of Representatives. Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque and his wife, Mylah, remain in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), according to the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Alfonso Ferdinand Ver confirmed the couple’s presence in the Gulf nation, as the embassy awaits instructions from Manila on how to proceed with Roque’s legal situation. The embassy is awaiting guidance from Manila on whether it can use the House of Representatives' arrest order against Roque to gather more information about his stay in the UAE, according to a report by The Philippine Daily Inquirer. “As of Thursday or Friday last week—meron din po kasi kaming napagtatanungan din, he is still in the UAE. Sila ng kanyang may bahay na si Mylah. Minarapat sana namin ngayong weekend para mag check, e hindi po available ang facility na ‘yun so we’ll try again today, Monday po,” Ver stated during an interview with Radyo 630. (As of Thursday or Friday last week, he is still in the UAE. He’s here together with his wife. We intended to check again during the weekend, but the facility to do so was unavailable, so we’ll try again today.) Ver also explained the challenges in accessing more details about Roque's status, citing privacy concerns and the need for official documents. “So mamaya susubukan namin kung meron din kaming instruction galing Manila na gamitin itong arrest order o warrant of arrest para makakuha pa ng impormasyon. Dahil ang awtoridad dito ay hindi na rin po magbibigay kung wala rin pong arrest warrant o Interpol notice kumbaga dahil meron ding privacy ang tao kung nandito man siya legally or illegally,” he added. (So later, we will try again, especially if there’s an instruction from Manila on whether we can use his outstanding arrest order to obtain more information. The authorities here will not disclose details without an arrest warrant or Interpol notice, as they uphold privacy whether he is here legally or illegally.) READ: Falsification Rap Eyed For Harry Roque After Possible Illegal Exit The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has earlier stated that Roque likely left the Philippines through unauthorized means. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that there are no records of Roque departing through formal channels, adding that his legal team is considering filing additional cases against him for his alleged illegal travel. Roque is linked to the qualified human trafficking case against Cassandra Li Ong and others involving the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) Lucky South 99 Corp. He also faces an arrest order from the House of Representatives after being cited for contempt and failing to provide documents that could explain a sudden increase in his wealth. Read related article: Harry Roque Waiting For 2 Conditions Before Returning to PH

10 retired and active government officials may face charges from the House for being tied to POGOs, extra-judicial killings and illegal drugs. The House of Representatives quad committee is set to recommend charges against 10 former and active government officials for their alleged involvement in Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), extrajudicial killings (EJKs), and illegal drugs. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the committee’s chairman, announced on December 10, 2024 that the recommendation will be part of the panel’s progress report, scheduled for approval on December 12. “This will be included in the initial report of the quad comm. We have to finalize our recommendation on Thursday and present it before the plenary for the approval of the entire members of the House of Representatives,” Barbers said, as reported by the Philippine Star.  The quad committee is coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Office of the Ombudsman to pursue the charges. “We will still conduct an investigation on the EJKs and drugs,” Barbers added. The panel is also eyeing 15 to 20 pieces of remedial legislation to address the issues raised in its investigation. They are also calling on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to certify the anti-POGO bill as urgent. Marcos Jr. earlier issued an executive order barring POGOs, formalizing a proclamation he made during his 3rd State of the Nation Address in early July.  “We want these pieces of legislation to be part of the legislative agenda of our President. We hope that it will be certified as urgent by the President so that our counterpart in the Senate will also act,” Barbers explained.  The quad committee was formed in August to investigate the links between POGOs, Chinese syndicates, illegal drugs, and EJKs during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.  Several high-profile figures, including former President Duterte, have been invited to testify before the committee. He further explained that the progress report seeks to wrap up the investigations into POGOs, EJKs, and illegal drugs, enabling the committee to focus on other critical issues. “Even after the Christmas break, when sessions resume, the quad-committee will press on with its investigations. The progress report reflects the ground we’ve covered so far on EJKs, drugs, and POGOs. However, this doesn’t mean we are closing the door on these matters,” Barbers clarified. According to him, the committee still needs to address additional issues before concluding its hearings. “We need to submit it so that it will be approved in the committee before we can ask other agencies concerned to take cognizance of this report. For example, we have recommendations to the DOJ and the NBI. They have to act on it based on the committee report that was approved by the plenary,” he expounded. “The action of the plenary is needed, so that it will become legitimate, it will become the sense of the majority of the members of the House,” he added. The quad-committee includes four panels: the dangerous drugs committee, chaired by Barbers; the human rights committee, led by Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante; the public accounts committee, headed by Abang Lingkod party-list Rep. Joseph Stephen Paduano; and the public order and safety committee, chaired by Santa Rosa, Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez. Barbers emphasized that the four committees share overlapping concerns and issues. “There seems to be a criminal organization operating within the country where drug money is being used to corrupt certain government officials in order to secure fake and spurious documents to misrepresent themselves as Filipinos to be able to acquire properties or lands in the country… where legitimate fronts of POGOs are being built,” Barbers explained. Abante also defended his committee’s involvement in the quad-committee, as well as its focus on EJKs. “Number one, there might be a quota system in the Philippine National Police… That means there is a reward system. That means if you kill a drug pusher, you get a reward. We would like to find out where the money is coming from, because we found out, that’s POGO money, that’s gambling money,” Abante revealed. Read related article:   DOJ Finds No Evidence Linking Duterte to Illegal POGOs

There is insufficient evidence to link Rodrigo Duterte to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country, the justice department said. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on December 10, 2024 that there is insufficient evidence to link former President Rodrigo Duterte to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in the country. Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty stated during a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute that the DOJ’s investigation focused on illegal POGO operations at an individual level. “At the level of individual POGOs, we haven’t seen any evidence to connect former President Duterte,” Ty said, as reported by  GMA News .   He reiterated that the probe examined specific illegal enterprises rather than implicating overarching figures or higher-level officials. “There is not enough evidence to link President Duterte to illegal POGO operations. Clearly, when it comes to POGOs, we tackled illegal POGOs at the level of each illegal enterprise,” Ty explained. The statement follows growing public and legislative scrutiny of POGO activities in the Philippines, which have been associated with criminal activities, such as human trafficking and money laundering.  During the final Senate hearing on POGO operations in November, Senator Risa Hontiveros presented a matrix of individuals allegedly exploiting the gambling sector for personal enrichment.  READ: Hontiveros “web” links Ex-Pres Duterte, Yang to POGOs While investigations into illegal POGO enterprises continue, Ty emphasized the absence of direct evidence against the former president. The DOJ's findings underscore the complexity of addressing illegal gambling activities and holding those involved accountable. Michael Yang, who previously served as a presidential adviser during the Duterte administration, was mentioned in the report. When asked if Yang’s association with the administration was sufficient to link Duterte to illegal POGOs, Ty said “the association is not enough to connect him... and to bring up an investigation.” In July, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. implemented a nationwide ban on all POGOs after several operators were found to be involved in criminal activities such as human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and fraudulent schemes, formalizing this through Executive Order 74   which was signed last November.  Meanwhile, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) expressed confidence in meeting its year-end goal, stating that all POGOs in the country would be eliminated by December 15, 2024. Read related article: Hontiveros “web” links Ex-Pres Duterte, Yang to POGOs

The House quad committee seeks approval for 15 bills stemming from its probe into POGOs and the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The House of Representatives’ quad committee plans to push for the approval of 15 proposed laws resulting from its investigation into Philippine offshore gambling operators (POGOs) and the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte. “We will be submitting a report with around 15 new remedial laws,” said panel chair and Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers during a chance interview on December 10, 2024. “These 15 bills are the outcome of the 12 hearings conducted by the quad committee,” Barbers added, as reported by Inquirer.  In an earlier statement, Barbers noted that four of the 15 proposed measures aim to amend Republic Act No. 9165, the country’s anti-drug act.  Additionally, the panel intends to recommend filing charges against at least 10 individuals allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade, POGOs, and extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration. For the mega panel’s upcoming session, Barbers confirmed that former President Rodrigo Duterte would not be invited to testify further, as his previous statements had already provided sufficient information for the investigation. Barbers earlier bared plans to release a progress report summarizing its findings from 12 hearings.  Barbers stated in a radio interview that the consolidated report, which combines related issues discussed during the hearings, will be presented to the public after gaining plenary approval, according to a GMA News Report.  The partial report is expected to be issued before the House adjourns for its Christmas break on December 18. Read related article: DICT Sees Drop in Text Scams as POGO Deadline Nears

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reports fewer text scams as the Dec 31  Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) ban nears. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported a significant decrease in the number of text scams as the deadline for the complete ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) or  Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) approaches. During an interview on the sidelines of a workshop on government digitalization cooperation, DICT Undersecretary for e-Government David Almirol Jr. noted a substantial decline in text scam incidents, particularly as the December 31, 2024 deadline set by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. draws near. "Malaki ang pagbabago talaga. Sobrang laki. Dati inuulan kami ng mga tawag eh sa aming e-report. Pero ngayon, declining talaga yung report talaga ng text cam ngayon. Sobrang declining (There has been a big change, truly a significant one. Before, we used to get flooded with calls for our e-reports. But now, the reports through the text scam platform are really declining. It's drastically declining)," Almirol said, as reported by the Inquirer.  While the DICT focuses on e-government initiatives and doesn't handle law enforcement regarding text scams, Almirol emphasized the importance of eradicating these illegal activities. POGOs are businesses offering online gambling services primarily to foreign customers. Their presence in the Philippines has been a source of controversy, with concerns raised about their potential links to money laundering, illegal activities, and increased crime rates. A recent report titled "The State of Scams in the Philippines 2024," published by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance last October, revealed that Filipinos lost an astounding $8.1 billion—approximately P460 billion—to text scams over the past year. This staggering amount represents about 1.9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. On average, each victim suffered a financial loss of $275, or roughly P16,000, due to fraudulent schemes. The study also highlighted that 39 percent of respondents in the Philippines had fallen victim to scammers, yet only three percent managed to recover their lost money, underscoring the difficulties in addressing such crimes. Read related article: P460 Billion Lost to Scams in PH, POGO Operations Linked