The POGO hunt continues with 11k remaining: And now the Philippines is escalating its efforts in purging illegal online gaming workers.
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) is intensifying its crackdown on illegal online gaming operations, targeting an estimated 11,000 foreign workers believed to be operating without proper documentation. This move comes amid President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), many of which have been linked to criminal activities.
The BI’s intensified efforts have already yielded results, with approximately 500 POGO workers arrested in recent weeks. This surge in enforcement signals a renewed commitment to dismantling illegal POGO operations and addressing concerns about their impact on national security and law and order.
The current operation is targeting a complex mix of individuals, some connected to legal POGO companies and others operating entirely outside the legal framework. “There are 11,000 legal companies in the Philippines, not including the ones operating illegally. These individuals are a mix – some are from legal companies here, some are not, and have been staying here illegally,” stated Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval. “I think there’s more that we’re going to see in the next few weeks.”
The crackdown follows Marcos Jr.’s earlier pronouncements about shutting down POGOs involved in illicit activities. The industry, which once contributed significantly to the Philippine economy, has faced increasing scrutiny due to reports of human trafficking, scams, and other crimes linked to some operators. This has led to a significant exodus of POGOs, impacting the local real estate market and related industries.
The BI’s operation is not solely focused on those connected to existing POGOs. Sandoval clarified that the list of targeted individuals includes those who have overstayed their visas and are not part of the 11,000 legally registered workers. “There's a lot of them in that list. There's some in the list that are the ones who stayed here illegally and are not part of the 11,000,” she explained.
The BI is working in close coordination with other law enforcement agencies and foreign embassies to ensure the smooth processing and deportation of those arrested. Sandoval emphasized the importance of this inter-agency collaboration: “We are very thankful to our local enforcement agencies because we cannot do this on our own, to be honest.” She also addressed the logistical challenges of managing a large number of arrests: “Once we have coordinated with our embassy, once we have confirmed there are no local cases on the Philippines and travel documents issued, we are looking into maybe next month we are able to deport the majority of these guys. We want more space for our arrests soon.”
The BI has also received support from partner agencies in securing the foreign nationals. “Our partner agencies have committed to securing these foreign nationals. We have supplemented them already. Operations are ongoing,” Sandoval stated.
The ongoing crackdown reflects the Philippine government's determination to address the negative consequences associated with the POGO industry and enforce immigration laws. The coming weeks are expected to reveal the full extent of the illegal POGO operations and the impact of the BI’s intensified enforcement efforts. The BI anticipates apprehending “at least a few thousand” more individuals in the coming months, highlighting the scale of the operation.
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