The smudge left by Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) is hard to erase.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. made it clear last year that POGOs have no place in the country. The Chief Executive banned POGOs because of their overt ties to human trafficking, online fraud and money laundering.
An Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) report said POGOs were susceptible to money laundering, fraud and other illicit financial activities, and posed substantial threats to the integrity of the national financial system.
Yet, POGO’s influence over certain sectors have not waned a bit despite the Malacañan ban. POGO’s imprint lingers.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla just this week made a public accusation and raised alarm bells about the rule of law and the Philippines’ appeal as an investment hub.
Remulla publicly called out Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) spokesperson Winston Casio for what he described as illegal actions.
Remulla accused Casio of “usurpation of authority” after the latter allegedly ordered the release of foreign nationals tied to illegal POGO operations, despite having no authority to do so.
Remulla’s revelations have turned what could have been dismissed as internal government friction into a full-blown public scandal with direct consequences for the country’s business climate.
A document has surfaced―a written note on the letterhead of the Office of the President authorizing the release of suspected POGO kingpin Wang Yushi. It bore Casio’s name and what appears to be his signature. Castro’s notes point to a serious breach in protocol and accountability.
Casio’s actions, if proven true, smack of an abuse of power. He approved the release of foreign detainees through the so-called recognizance, and signed deportation documents without legal authority.
Such powers rest solely with the Bureau of Immigration Commissioner and its Board of Commissioners. This is a breakdown in institutional protocol.
Remulla noted that suspects, many linked to cybercrime and trafficking syndicates, were released before digital forensic investigations could be completed, significantly weakening the government’s ability to prosecute these networks.
Casio’s actions appear to have sabotaged the anti-POGO crackdown from within and turned what should have been a unified law enforcement effort into a cautionary tale of rogue decision-making.
President Marcos already made it clear last year that POGOs are more of an economic disruption.
According to the Department of Finance, allowing these gaming hubs to continue operating is costing the Philippines as much as P99 billion annually in lost revenue. The President’s firm stance aims to combat crime, and restore international confidence in the country’s regulatory environment as well.
Thus, what message does it send to serious investors when directives from the highest office are quietly disregarded within the system, or by Casio?
A scandal involving the unauthorized release of detainees, potential criminal charges and public accusations from the Justice Secretary would trigger swift action from Malacañan.
But Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the most powerful figure in government after the President, appears unfazed.
When a government mid-level official is accused of overstepping legal bounds and compromising a high-stakes policy initiative, most executive offices would respond with immediate accountability. Bersamin’s indifference is surprising, to say the least.
For investors in tech, fintech and licensed gaming, regulatory clarity is non-negotiable. They make long-term bets based on a country’s ability to uphold its own rules.
What they see now is unsettling. Policies are being overridden by unauthorized officials, blurred legal processes and hesitation from top leaders to enforce accountability.
The release of foreign suspects tied to cybercrime before proper investigations sends the wrong message to global markets. For serious investors, that’s a red flag and one with a real price tag.
If this were only about inter-office turf wars, businesses might stay out of it. But that’s not the case. Investors, especially in tech, fintech and legitimate gaming, need certainty and stability.
What they’re seeing instead is a government that publicly bickers, lets unauthorized personnel make legal decisions and hesitates to clean up after.
When suspects involved in syndicated cybercrimes can be released without proper investigation, it tells businesses that rules can be bent depending on who’s in the room―or who’s on the press release.
Casio’s actions must be investigated. If found illegal, he should face charges. That’s how you restore public trust. It’s time to remind Secretary Bersamin that quiet leadership is admirable but silence can be interpreted as complicity.
Investors value clarity, consistency and the rule of law. If the Philippines can’t show these, investors can take their business elsewhere.
E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com