Who are Philippines’ ‘Pogo personalities’? Figures tied to banned sector linger, critics warn

Despite a ban on Pogos, high-profile figures linked to the industry remain, raising concerns about a growing network of criminal syndicates in the Philippines

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Philippines peso cash on a pile of playing cards in the casino. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 9:52pm, 13 Feb 2025Updated: 10:00pm, 13 Feb 2025

The emergence of high-profile figures in the Philippines tied to crime-linked offshore gaming hubs (Pogos) may result in a “complicated web of syndicate rings” that may hinder government crackdown efforts, observers warn.

Philippine opposition senator Risa Hontiveros, who heads the Senate committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality that investigated alleged human trafficking and scam operations connected to Pogos, said on February 5 there remained “evil elements” from the banned gambling firms and stressed the need to stay vigilant.

The Senate panel also recommended filing criminal charges against those that Hontiveros called “Pogo personalities”.

These included town mayor Lisandro Calugay of Sual in Pangasinan, who allegedly helped former mayor Alice Guo, an alleged Chinese spy, escape the country; Chinese businessman Tony Yang, whom Hontiveros called the “architect of Pogos” and was involved in several raided Pogo operations; along with other officials implicated in Guo’s unnoticed departure.

Filipino Senator Risa Hontiveros has led an investigation into the massive online gambling and scam operations in the country. Photo: AP

Hontiveros also mentioned Wan Kuok-Koi, nicknamed “Broken Tooth”, who is said to be one of Asia’s most notorious gangsters and a 14K Triad leader.