POGO retrospective: Banned Philippine offshore gaming industry linked to drug trade, land theft
Summary
The National Bureau of Investigation – National Capital Region (NBI-NCR) is probing alleged rural land theft in Bataan linked to a company associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs). Farmers claim parcels were transferred without Department of Agrarian Reform authorisation to a holding company tied to Harry Roque, an attorney previously accused in POGO-related human trafficking cases and now reportedly abroad.
The Philippines banned POGOs in 2024 amid widespread criminal allegations. Investigations and police raids since have exposed scams, forced labour and other illicit activity. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has said Chinese nationals connected to POGOs led many active drug syndicates, and authorities recently destroyed PHP4.56 billion of seized illegal drugs.
Key Points
- NBI-NCR is investigating alleged falsified land transfers in Bataan to a company linked to POGOs and Harry Roque.
- The POGO sector was legalised in 2016 but banned by President Marcos Jr in 2024 amid mounting criminal allegations.
- POGOs generated notable tax revenue (PHP5.17bn in 2023, estimated PHP7bn in 2024) despite links to scams, forced labour and other crimes.
- Police raids targeted businesses allegedly fronting as BPOs for POGOs; some operators were not licensed by PAGCOR.
- Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla claims Chinese nationals associated with POGOs led most active drug syndicates; PHP4.56bn in drugs was destroyed recently.
- High-profile figures connected to POGO activities, including Harry Roque, have faced charges and left the country.
Content summary
The article recounts continuing fallout from the long-running POGO controversy in the Philippines. It opens with the NBI-NCR probe into alleged land-grabs in Bataan where rural parcels may have been transferred via falsified documents to a POGO-related holding firm. Local farmers and authorities are contesting the legality of those transfers.
It then revisits the origins and collapse of the POGO industry: legalised under the Duterte administration in 2016, the sector delivered material revenue but was increasingly tied to organised crime, scamming operations, money laundering, prostitution, trafficking and violence. Citing President Marcos Jr’s 2024 decision, the article notes the ban intended to end both legitimate and illicit offshore gaming by 2025. Enforcement actions and raids continued into 2025 and 2026.
Finally, the piece covers senior officials’ comments linking POGO-associated Chinese nationals to drug syndicates, and highlights a high-value drug seizure and destruction of PHP4.56 billion worth of illegal drugs as evidence of the wider criminal impact.
Author style
Punchy: the reporting is direct and unambiguous — this isn’t a niche regulatory wrinkle but part of a national crime and governance story that matters to policy makers, operators and anyone tracking regional organised crime.
Why should I read this?
Because it still matters — POGOs were supposed to be gone, but their mess isn’t. Land theft, trafficking and drug networks have long tails; this article pulls together the latest investigations and official statements so you don’t have to trawl multiple sources.
Context and Relevance
The story sits at the intersection of regulatory risk, organised crime and industry reputation. For regulators and operators it signals stricter enforcement and lingering liabilities. For investors and regional partners it highlights how seemingly lucrative sectors can create systemic corruption and criminal exposure. The piece connects ongoing probes with broader trends in anti-money-laundering and immigration enforcement across Southeast Asia.