PAGCOR denounces fake memo on POGO shutdown

Jenny Ortiz July 29, 2024

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has identified a disinformation campaign, marked by a fraudulent memorandum that falsely claims local government units (LGUs) are ordered to shut down Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by August. PAGCOR asserts that the memo is fake and has caused unnecessary alarm.

Atty. Jessa Mariz Fernandez, head of PAGCOR’s Offshore Gaming Licensing Department, clarified that the supposed memo, dated July 26, was a forged version of a legitimate memorandum issued on July 23, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“We have not issued a memorandum ordering LGUs to immediately close down POGO operations in their jurisdiction because the President’s order is very clear: We have until the end of the year to wind down POGO operations, and we will follow that,” Fernandez said.

Marcos ordered a total ban on all offshore gaming operations in the country, this includes the licenced Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs). According to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco, around 43 IGLs are affected and an estimated of 20,000 Filipino workers will be displaced.

Investigation into the forged document

The fraudulent memo directed select LGUs in Metro Manila to terminate POGO operations “within the first week of August.” Fernandez condemned this as an act of disinformation aimed at causing chaos and confusion. “Whoever is behind this clearly has ulterior motives, and we shall ask the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate and unmask them to determine their motives,” she said.

Legitimate communication and status quo

The fake memo had misappropriated content from an earlier legitimate letter addressed to IGLs and service providers on July 23. This letter advised that, “pending finalisation of the details and process of winding down, operations may remain in the status quo,” referencing Marcos’ directive from July 22.

“We reiterate, and we advise our LGUs, that licenced IGLs can continue operating until we have determined the process of winding down their operations, which we currently have not yet finalised,” Fernandez said.

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