The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) on Sunday strongly condemned the spread of false information through supposed official letters and text messages claiming that Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) will reopen.

“It has come to our attention that some people are enticing potential investors into paying huge amounts for supposed limited slots of POGO licenses, and saying POGOs will be supposedly operating directly under PAGCOR,” according to PAGCOR Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco.

“There is absolutely no truth to this,” Mr. Tengco said. “POGOs remain banned, and there are no plans to bring them back, now or in the foreseeable future.”

“Should you get any text message or letter informing you that you can avail of a POGO slot, please report them immediately to PAGCOR or to the police and other law enforcement agencies because these are scammers who need to be stopped,” he said.

Mr. Tengco said the scammers are asking would-be investors for up to P50 million supposedly for attorney’s fees, consultation and assessment to get a POGO slot.

“We reiterate: POGOs will not reopen during the term of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  and PAGCOR is not entertaining, and will not entertain, any applications,” he added.