#pogos

In a decisive move to curb criminal activities, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the shutdown of a vast network of online casinos that have been implicated in numerous illicit operations. These online casinos, known locally as Pogos, short for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, primarily serve players in mainland China, where gambling is prohibited. However, Pogos have increasingly been used as fronts for a range of criminal activities, including telephone scams, human trafficking, and other serious offenses.

A Troubled Industry

Under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, Pogos flourished as part of his administration's efforts to foster friendly relations with China. However, President Marcos, in his annual address to parliament, called for an end to the "desecration of our country." He criticized Pogos for masquerading as legitimate entities while engaging in financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and even murder.

On Tuesday, the Philippines' gaming regulator announced plans to cancel the licenses of Pogos and phase out the sector by the end of the year. According to government estimates, the Pogo industry comprises over 400 licensed and unlicensed operations, employing around 40,000 people directly and indirectly. Despite generating an estimated 166.5 billion pesos ($2.9 billion) in annual revenue, the industry's economic costs are estimated to be much higher at 266 billion pesos annually.

Criminal Links and National Spotlight

The alleged connection between Pogos and criminal rings came under national scrutiny after a Pogo in a small town was discovered to be a front for a scam center. The town's mayor, Alice Guo, is accused of being a Chinese spy and is currently in hiding. Additionally, clandestine hospitals linked to Pogos were found to be offering plastic surgery services to fugitives and scam center workers to help them evade arrest.

Geopolitical Implications

Since assuming office, President Marcos has reversed the Philippines' pivot towards China, initiated by his predecessor Duterte, and has moved closer to the United States, the country's historic ally. Analysts suggest that the ban on Pogos could be interpreted as an effort to further distance the Philippines from China. Both nations are embroiled in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea, with tensions escalating in recent months.

"Pogos' presence has ceased to be a mere law and order problem. It has been linked to China's creeping 'occupation' of the Philippines for ordinary Filipinos," stated Jean Encinas-Franco, a professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She added that Marcos' decision could be seen as a rebuke to Duterte's open Pogo policy, potentially boosting his approval ratings ahead of the crucial mid-term elections in 2025.

Local Reactions

The ban on Pogos has been welcomed by various sectors within the Philippines. Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual told local media that the decision makes the country more attractive to those seeking leisure, as Pogos have created a negative impression associated with violence. George Barcelon, chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, expressed his approval, stating that Pogos attract undesirable individuals and endanger the moral fabric of the nation.

The Path Forward

As the Philippines moves to dismantle the Pogo industry, the government faces the challenge of managing the economic and social impacts of the shutdown. While the ban is expected to improve the country's image and reduce crime, it will also require addressing the displacement of thousands of workers and finding alternative sources of revenue to compensate for the loss from the Pogo sector.

Val Aereigne s'est longtemps imposée comme seconde puissance du continent, presque égale à Val Tereigne. Son emplacement entre la demi-lune d'Argrimor, les pieds du mont Saor et des deux plateaux du Raenor lui offre un champ de vision multiple très avantageux sur ses potentiels assaillants.

Si la cité brillait autrefois par ses guerriers, elle repousse aujourd'hui par ses malades. De la porte Nord jusqu'à la porte de la citadelle, une armée de corps, à la frontière entre deux mondes, ne tiens plus ni d'épée ni de bouclier mais plus que désespoir et maux.

Parfois, l'un d'entre eux semble retrouver des forces, se lève maladroitement, fais quelques pas puis s'effondre comme une grosse drache. Par terre, il n'est pas rare qu'il vomisse un liquide jaunâtre qui tire vers le rouge s'il est à un stade plus critique.

Cette peinture immonde inonde les rues de Val Aereigne tant en volume que par son odeur. Hostile sans être nauséabonde, obscure sans être secrète, fatale sans être brève, elle semble être portée dans l'air par Saor lui même.

Si Midalo premier roi de Val Aereigne est retenu pour sa diplomatie plus qu'animée, Pogos, lui, n'a que la mysanthropie comme tablier. Non seulement il n'a rien fait pour tenter de contenir la maladie, mais en plus, chaque ordre sortant de la citadelle n'a pour unique but que celui de le satisfaire et comme conséquence de creuser plus large encore le fossé qui le sépare de la réalité.

De quelques malades à l'entrée de la porte Nord aux courriers de Val Tereigne et Toreigne lui demandant de fermer ses portes, il en ignore l'existence même. Son palais est sa demeure, et il entend bien l'entretenir comme bon lui semble. Si de mauvaises herbes se sont glissées dans ses parterres, c'est à ses jardinier de s'en occuper, non ?

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Esas emociones que en vos viven; excitación, euforia.

Esos gritos, cantos, esas guitarras, esas luces, esos pogos.

Vivo en vos, una parte mía es vos y no me arrepiento.

When my Camponotus discolor ants escape I find them "investigating" the pogo's nest. I think they have it out for the pogos. And if enough could get out they'd do some kind of horrible raid. Of course they won't ever get the chance. And one or two escaped ants is not a raid.

From a human perspective this is strange since to us the pogos are the most dangerous and mighty of my ants. They can sting! They have a hard exoskeleton and can survive being stepped on!

But, in ant terms they are weak. They aren't fast. They can't climb walls.

My Camponotus discolor colony is vicious. They have big numbers now so they have a lot of confidence.

When ants fight they fight as one. The first ant, often an older girl near the end of her two year long life goes for the jaws of the creature under attack. She wants to get bit! she wants to clamp on to the jaws, the best weapon and disable them.

Now younger ants each grab a leg or antennae and pull. Now the attacker (or future meal) is immobilized. They even do this ritual on the recently dead crickets I give them.

Practice.

Their organization is so elegant, and a little scary. I remember the colony when it was younger. When they were scared of a crushed fruit fly if the leg twitched.

Two of my escapees killed a house spider. The other two were doing "reconnaissance" at the pogo's nest. I was like "excuse me ladies but this is NOT what we are doing today"

I let them keep the spider.