{
  "id": 13033984,
  "title": "Philippines thought Pogos were gone. Corruption and AI still power them",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/philippines-thought-pogos-were-gone-corruption-and-ai-still-power-them",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-09T04:56:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3370281/philippines-thought-pogos-were-gone-corruption-and-ai-still-power-them"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Allegations of corruption and the use of artificial intelligence are fueling the resilience of offshore gaming hubs, or Pogos, in the Philippines, despite a ban imposed two years ago. According to Winston Casio, a former deputy operations director of the Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC), the government has struggled to reconcile its numbers regarding the departure of foreign Pogo workers since the ban, leading to uncertainty about the exact number of individuals still operating in the country. The recent raids in Makati City, Zamboanga Sibugay, and Alicia have targeted hundreds of foreigners, primarily Chinese nationals, who are accused of engaging in illegal trading, \"lust scams,\" visa violations, and other forms of online wrongdoing. Casio noted that the suspects were often found hiding in plain sight, such as operating out of tents, making their presence difficult to detect. The use of AI has made the scams more sophisticated and efficient, allowing them to target victims at an unprecedented rate. Casio emphasized the need for improved government funding, technology infrastructure, and cooperation with foreign agencies to effectively combat these digital crimes. He also highlighted the potential influence of Pogo operators, their illicit funds, and their connections to local politicians on the upcoming 2028 elections, making the issue a significant concern for public corruption and political stability.",
  "summary": "Two years after the Philippines banned its notorious offshore gaming hubs, or Pogos, a recent crackdown on hundreds of foreigners has highlighted a worrying trend of embedded corruption that still enables the sector to thrive. In September, the National Bureau of Investigation raided a call centre-style facility in Makati City, arresting more than 120 Chinese nationals linked to an alleged…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}