The Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines has expedited the departure of foreign workers employed by Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) in response to recent visa downgrades. As of now, more than 3,000 POGO workers have already left the country.
Fast-Tracked Departure Process
In a statement, BI Officer-in-Charge Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado announced that specialized teams have been dispatched to POGO and Internet Gaming Licensee (IGL) companies to implement visa downgrades directly on-site. “During the meeting, members agreed to conduct service days for POGO companies, where we will implement their downgraded visa status and issue exit clearances,” Viado explained. This swift action followed an inter-agency meeting that included the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), among other key government bodies.
Visa Downgrade and Exit Deadlines
The BI has set a deadline of October 15, 2024, for foreign POGO workers to voluntarily downgrade their visas. Those who fail to comply will face deportation if they do not exit the country within 59 days. As of September 24, the BI has downgraded a total of 5,955 visas, with approximately 3,275 workers—55 percent of those affected—already having left the Philippines.
The government’s crackdown on illegal POGO activities has intensified due to alarming reports of unlawful operations, including kidnapping, human trafficking, and torture in areas such as Bamban, Tarlac, and Porac, Pampanga.
POGO Ban Driven by Illegal Activities
During his July 2024 State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for a complete ban on POGOs in response to the growing illegal activities associated with online gambling operations. The government aims to eliminate all POGO activities by the end of the year, prioritizing the safety and welfare of both local and foreign citizens.
Crackdown on Fugitive Foreigners
In a related development, the BI has recently apprehended two South Korean fugitives attempting to extend their tourist visas in Manila. The fugitives, Lee Wonwoong, 33, and Huh Hwan, 60, were intercepted by immigration officials during routine inspections. Lee is suspected of operating illegal gambling establishments in South Korea, while Huh faces multiple fraud charges. Both individuals are currently detained at a BI facility in Taguig, pending deportation.
This ongoing crackdown forms part of the Philippine government’s broader strategy to combat illegal activities associated with POGOs and other foreign workers in the country.
