DOJ again warns Pogo workers still in country

BUSINESS AS USUAL Authorities discover a Philippine offshore gaming operator, still operating and well-staffed, in a raid in Pasay City on Thursday, despite the ban ordered by President Marcos on July 22. —Photo from PAOCC

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reiterated on Sunday that workers of illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) who are still in the country will face severe penalties.

Citing a report from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Department of Justice (DOJ) said around 11,000 foreign Pogo workers are set to be deported for failing to leave the country last year.

READ: BI hunts down 11,000 foreign Pogo workers still in PH

The number comprises Pogo aliens who failed to downgrade their visas or voluntarily leave the Philippines and those who downgraded their visas but failed to leave the country within the prescribed period given by authorities.

Remulla urged similarly situated foreigners to surrender to authorities. In a statement on Friday, the BI said a total of 11,254 foreigners who worked for Pogos and have not left the country as of the Dec. 31 deadline would be arrested and deported.

The BI gave foreigners working for Pogos until Oct. 18, 2024, to downgrade their working visas for temporary visitor’s visas that allowed them to stay for 60 days in the country.

Out of the 33,863 foreign Pogo workers listed with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., a total of 24,779 downgraded their visas, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

A total of 22,609 Pogo workers left the country before the Dec. 31 deadline. —JANE BAUTISTA