#pogos

[unitedventurez]

Philippines Bans Online Casinos Linked to Scam Centers: An In-Depth Look

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.

The bold decision by President Marcos to shut down Pogos marks a significant step in addressing the intertwined issues of crime and international relations. As the country navigates this complex transition, the global community will be watching closely to see the long-term effects on the Philippines' economy, society, and geopolitical standing.

[carlocarrasco]

Ban on POGOs all over the Philippines declared

During his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., declared a nationwide ban on all Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), according to a Philippine News Agency (PNA) news article. Marcos pointed out the negative effects POGOs had on the country such as money laundering, scamming, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder to name…

[ricisidro]

HAPPENING NOW: POGOs, Online Gaming / Gambling 🔥

The Philippines' Senate and House continues to hold hearing and investigation into POGOs.

The House Quad Committee cites Harry Roque in contempt for failing to submit the subpoenaed documents. Penalty is detention until Roque submits documents or until the joint panel is dissolved.

[sexwithstilinskiandhale]

you're laughing. The umbrella academy's final season destroyed every character's personal growth and semi-healed traumas, left huge plot-holes, completely abandoned some of it's most beloved side characters that were crucial in previous seasons and you're laugh-oh. You're crying. My bad. Go ahead. Let it out. Understandable.

[neahtrix]

Thinking about this shot from S1 again…

I’ve seen multiple people refer to it as the ‘dollhouse shot’ and I think that perfectly describes it.

The way they were used and puppeteered in their childhoods by Reggie to be picture perfect. They were manipulated and exploited for years, treated like toys to do whatever you wish with.

But as ‘I Think We’re Alone Now’ plays in the background, it emphasises their new independence. It really pushes how they’re free from the over-looming control of Reggie and the manipulation they had faced is finally over.

They are finally free.

[saytrrose]

Pray for him chat 🙏 I don’t think he can do it

Commission for @bitbot360 !

[techqanswerdotin]

Pogo's mystery phone!

Pogo’s mystery phone!

A new POCO phone is expected to be launched in India soon. But which phone it is is a mystery. To confirm this, this smartphone has now appeared on the BIS certification site. Model no A new mysterious POCO phone with model number 22127PC95I has been listed on the Indian BIS certificate. This information is found by Mukul Sharma. It does not contain any information about the name and features of…

[tothosewholisten]

presents

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Forever Healed | TUA insert

available across wattpad, tumblr, quotev and ao3.

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"He was never a father really, more like a mean old state-national basketball coach."

- Y/n Hargeeves, Number 00, The Gifted

Being the adopted super powered kid of Sir Reginald Hargeeves was never a simple task. You always could've been better for him. But happens when he dies and the world ends in a few days?

You are Number Zero, here's your story..

Masterlist

Pintrest board

Playlist

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[green-crocs12]

as promised more sasunaru 🫡 (naruto’s playing hard to get for once)

bonus scene:

also this was inspired by @/pogo_sticks1221 on tiktok so credit to them!! (i’m still un original)

[rumwik]

I caught a tiny nosepass!

[shadowaod]

Wanted to make a smoother version of the the character select screen sprites to make it more like the snes version.

hope you like :)

give credit if used

[carlocarrasco]

Major property developers unfazed by national ban on POGOs

As far as the major property developers are concerned, the national ban on Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) will not have a significant effect on their and residential businesses, according to a BusinessWorld news report. To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the BusinessWorld news report. Some parts in boldface… LOCAL PROPERTY DEVELOPERS are unfazed by the…

[paranoia-art]

Kidnappers: We have your childr-

*Sir Reginald Hargreeves Hangs Up*

Kidnappers: What.

[mylonelyangel7]

Here’s how I think Umbrella Academy should’ve ended:

Five and Lila find the season 1 timeline in the subway. They go back and get all the other siblings, take them to that timeline, jump back to before Five disappears and kill Reginald. Then they take the marigold from all 7, and tell Pogo and Grace to raise them as a normal family. Then they find all the other marigold kids and take the marigold out. They all disappear as the timeline changes and fixes itself back into one timeline. Abigail could’ve even helped them, explaining where to go and what to do, and that she shouldn’t exist but they should.

Then, fast forward twenty years, and we see that they’re all living happy lives. Lila and Diego met organically working for some kind of espionage job, Luther meets Sloane naturally, Viktor is a concert violinist in a happy long term relationship, Klaus is sober and in a healthy relationship, Ben and Jennifer meet naturally and fall in love, Allison is a successful actor and has a loving husband and Claire, Five meets a human Delores and drinks lots of coffee. They all regard Pogo as a father and Grace as a mother. It’s still an odd, dysfunctional family, but Pogo ensures their safety, and they all come back to the big house for holidays. The End.

[karfild]

Character profiles via the making of the umbrella academy (S1)

[slightly-gay-pogohammer]

live a live in a nutshell

please play this silly little game