REPRESENTATIVE Brian Poe joined last night’s operation in Batasan Hills against illegal online and on-ground gambling activities operating without the necessary license from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The raid was spearheaded by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), in partnership with the PCSO, Philippine National Police (PNP), and the civil society group Digital Pinoys.
Seven suspects were arrested during the operation—five in Quezon City and two within Batasan itself—who were caught running illegal gambling activities right around the premises of Congress. Authorities confirmed that the suspects violated provisions of the Revised Penal Code and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175).
“Ang pagtutulungan ng PCSO, PNP, CICC, at DICT ay patunay na kung may koordinasyon, may resulta. Kahit kulang sa pondo, ipinakita ng CICC at DICT na patuloy silang nagseserbisyo para sa taumbayan. Kapag nadagdagan pa ang kanilang budget, mas marami pa tayong makikitang ganitong operasyon laban sa mga ilegal na sindikato ng sugal,” said Cong. Poe.
As a co-sponsor of the DICT’s budget, Poe expressed concern over the significant budget cuts in cybercrime enforcement for 2025—highlighting that the DICT’s overall cybersecurity budget was reduced by 36% and the CICC’s capital outlay was set at zero.
Poe further stated:
“Sa panig ko, ang pinakaunang resolusyon na inihain ko bilang kongresista ay ang House Resolution No. 40 na nagsisiyasat sa mga suliranin ng online gaming sa ating bayan. Kailangan marinig ng mga kongresista ang mga ulat na ito para malaman nila na kahit magpatupad tayo ng bagong polisiya, may mga operasyon ng online gambling na nakakalusot pa rin. Kaya’t narito ako upang makita mismo kung paano nagpapatuloy ang mga ilegal na operasyon na ito. Hihingi ako ng mga ulat mula sa PCSO, DICT, CICC, at PNP upang matutukan ito.
Kung may mga polisiya na maaari nating ipanukala sa Kongreso para mas palakasin ang CICC at ang kanilang interagency capabilities, sisilipin natin ito. Hindi ko papayagang umiral ang mga operasyong ito sa mismong bakuran ng Kongreso.”
Meanwhile, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda expressed his gratitude and praise for Cong. Poe’s active support:
“Kasama natin ngayon si Congressman Brian. At gaya ng nakikita ninyo, matapos ang aming budget hearing kanina, siya mismo ay nagpunta rito upang personal na makita kung paano natin ginagamit ang National Fund para isakatuparan ang mga ganitong operasyon. Mahalaga ang kanyang suporta upang maipakita na ang pondo ay tunay na napupunta sa laban kontra cybercrime.”
The Congressman also reminded the public that his advocacy against illegal online gambling has been one of his first priorities in the 20th Congress and that he will continue to fight against it.
“Sa loob ng tatlong araw lang mula nang italaga ang PNP personnel sa loob ng CICC, ito na agad ang resulta. Ipinapakita nito na kung whole-of-government approach ang gagamitin natin, mas malakas ang laban kontra ilegal na online gambling. Hindi lang online casino kundi pati online lottery ang problema—mula piso hanggang sampung piso ang taya kaya nakakaapekto ito sa pinakamahihirap. Kaya’t salamat sa lahat ng katuwang, lalo na sa ating budget defender na si Congressman Brian,” emphasized CICC Executive Director Renato “Aboy” Paraiso.
Authorities reiterated that illegal gambling operations deprive the government of revenues that should be directed toward PCSO’s charity programs, particularly for medical assistance to those in need. Civil society partners also urged the public to report illegal gambling activities to the CICC hotline 1326 or via DigitalPinoys.org.
