100,000 POGO Workers Yet to be Deported: BI

November 15, 2024 Philippines Crime & Legal

Based on the latest data from the Bureau of Immigration, 1,370 POGO workers have been deported and 1,172 have been repatriated.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reported that approximately 100,000 workers from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) are still awaiting deportation. This information was disclosed by Senator Grace Poe during the November 13, 2024 Senate deliberations on the proposed budget for the BI as part of the 2025 General Appropriations Bill.

According to Senator Poe, who chairs the Senate finance committee, only a fraction of POGO workers have been processed for deportation. Specifically, 1,370 workers have been deported, while an additional 1,172 have been repatriated.

This revelation came in response to inquiries from Senator Raffy Tulfo regarding how the BI ensures that departing POGO workers have fulfilled their legal obligations in the country. Senator Tulfo raised concerns about the potential responsibilities of these workers, particularly those who are employers with pending obligations to their employees. He questioned how the BI verifies whether these individuals have unresolved legal issues before allowing them to leave.

“There are a hundred thousand POGOs [workers] that have yet to be deported,” Senator Poe was quoted as saying in an article by GMA Network.
In her response, Poe indicated that the BI has been downgrading work visas for foreign nationals employed in the POGO sector. This measure allows these workers to remain in the Philippines while their individual cases are assessed to determine whether they will be repatriated or deported.

The downgrading of visas is a temporary solution for workers facing legal challenges. Poe explained that this process is crucial for managing cases involving rescued POGO workers, many of whom have unique legal situations. The BI is currently handling these cases on an individual basis to ensure fair treatment and compliance with local laws. Last September, the BI announced plans to expedite exit applications for foreign workers associated with POGOs, which are now referred to as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs). Workers were given until October 15 to voluntarily downgrade their visas; those who failed to comply would be required to leave within 59 days or face deportation proceedings by December 31. As of late September, over 5,955 visas had been downgraded, with more than half of those affected already having left the country.

READ: Less than half of foreign POGO workers downgraded visas before October 15 deadline

The crackdown on POGOs aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s recent initiatives. In his third State of the Nation Address in July, he announced a ban on POGOs and directed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to cease all operations by year-end.

Following this directive, President Marcos signed Executive Order 74, which formalizes the ban on POGOs and other offshore gaming operations in the Philippines. This series of actions reflects a significant shift in government policy regarding offshore gaming operations, aimed at addressing various concerns related to legality and worker welfare within this industry.