IN line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to shut down all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) nationwide, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla personally led the inspection of the former POGO hub at Island Cove Hotel and Resort in Kawit, Cavite on Tuesday.
“As promised, sinabi namin na December pupunta kami rito para ipakita na sarado na lahat. I hope this puts to rest the issue na may POGO hub pa rin sa Cavite,” Remulla stated during the special site inspection of the now-closed facility, which had previously employed 15,000 Filipinos and 15,000 Chinese nationals.
During the visit, Remulla, accompanied by Philippine National Police Chief PGen Rommel Marbil, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, and Cavite Governor Athena Tolentino, formally served the notice of foreclosure and padlocked the premises.
Also present were representatives from the Department of Justice, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.
Remulla confirmed that the POGO hub at Island Cove began operations in 2019 and officially ceased activities in November 2024, a month ahead of the deadline set by the President.
To address the concerns of displaced Filipino workers, the Secretary assured that job fairs organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) were held to prioritize their employment needs.
The closure of Island Cove fulfills Secretary Remulla’s commitment, made during his first week in office last October, to personally oversee the shutdown of POGO hubs in compliance with the President’s directive.