THE Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) is urging the City Government to create a multi-agency task force that will regularly inspect business establishments to deter and detect illicit activities, particularly those potentially concealed behind legitimate commercial operations.
The proposed task force would be composed of officers from the MCPO, the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, the National Bureau of Investigation and other law enforcement agencies.
It would be mandated to assess compliance with business permits, safety regulations, and operational legitimacy especially in hard-to-reach or secured locations such as subdivisions and gated offices.
MCPO Director Cirilo Acosta said during the press conference on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, the initiative is driven by the growing need to monitor Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) firms, Information Technology (IT) hubs, and Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (Pogo)-related establishments operating in the city.
Acosta added that it also to prevent the same activities as the alleged scam operation that occurred in Cebu City.
According to BPLO head August Lizer Malate, some of these companies may appear legitimate from the outside; however, unless one is able to go inside, speak with employees, or receive internal reports, it would be difficult to detect any suspicious activities.
“This task force will allow us to legally access and inspect even those establishments within gated communities where entry is often restricted,” said Acosta.
Inspection
Malate said less than 100 BPOs and IT-related firms are currently operating in Mandaue, a number that is still manageable for close monitoring.
However, he admitted that some of these offices are located inside high-security compounds or private subdivisions, making spontaneous inspections difficult for ordinary city personnel.
Malate clarified that the city has already been conducting regular inspections of BPOs and IT hubs and, so far, no violations have been recorded.
“These types of businesses are among the most closely monitored. We don’t issue business permits to them unless they’ve been properly inspected by our office,” he said.
There are around 20,000 registered businesses in Mandaue City.
The BPLO conducts regular ocular inspections to ensure compliance with local ordinances and permit requirements.
Regulation
Malate said that the creation of a task force by an executive order would strengthen the city’s enforcement capabilities.
“With an executive order, we can define the exact scope of what our teams can do because at the end of the day, we must work within the boundaries of the law. We cannot just enter establishments or make arrests without probable cause,” he said.
He emphasized the importance of respecting constitutional protections, even when conducting inspections.
“For example, you can’t just raid someone’s car or private office without proper grounds, but if this task force is properly mandated, it can act more decisively in response to verified intelligence,” he added.
He added that Pogo-related operations are particularly challenging to track because they can be set up virtually anywhere with a stable internet connection and sufficient personnel.
“This is not about scaring legitimate businesses. We’re here to help them comply and protect the city’s integrity. If you’re operating legally, you have nothing to fear,” he said. / CAV