The Department of Justice (DOJ) stated on Monday that over 5,000 foreign workers failed to downgrade their visa status amidst efforts by the Philippine government to shut down offshore gaming operators (POGO) by the end of the year.
When asked about the consequences for foreign POGO employees who failed to complete the process by the October 15 deadline, Justice Minister Jesus Crispin Remulla said: "You are not allowed to continue working, only to remain employed until the company dissolves. Actively engaging in soliciting bets or conducting business is now prohibited for everyone."
The visa downgrade would allow foreigners to revert their status from a work visa to a temporary visitor visa, which permits them to legally work in the Philippines for 59 days.
In contrast, the Bureau of Immigration stated that over 12,000 foreign workers from now-defunct Philippine offshore gaming companies have applied to downgrade their work visas.
Last July, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs after a series of raids uncovered torture chambers, love scams, and other criminal activities, implicating these enterprises in illegal activities.
The head of the DOJ mentioned that many foreign offshore gaming company workers, primarily Chinese nationals, are also reluctant to return to their home countries.
"Many have not voluntarily downgraded their visas. This puts us in a dilemma because it shows that many really do not want to leave the country," Remulla said.
"We can cope. I think there is no problem in coping. If handled improperly, it could lead to a humanitarian crisis. But I think we have considered all possibilities from the start," he added.
According to the president's order, all POGOs in the country will be shut down by December 31.
Therefore, the DOJ warned that all foreign workers who have not downgraded their visas will be considered illegal aliens.
"After December 31, they will be regarded as illegal aliens," Remulla said.
