According to Philippine media, the Bureau of Immigration announced this Wednesday that about 24,000 foreign employees of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) have left the country, and another 8,000 have applied to downgrade their work visas to visitor visas.
However, the whereabouts of nearly a thousand personnel are currently unknown, complicating the situation.
The Commissioner of Immigration, Jaime Morente, stated at a press conference that this data is based on the registration records of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation. The data shows that the total number of POGO employees is about 33,000, most of whom have completed the procedures for visa downgrade or departure.
However, after verifying the registration information of these employees, the Bureau of Immigration discovered that about 1,000 people are missing. Regarding this, Morente emphasized: "We have initiated a manhunt and vow to find these people."
This incident occurred after Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74 (EO 74), which took effect on November 5, mandating an immediate and comprehensive ban on POGO operations, online gambling, and other offshore gaming activities in the Philippines.
The order also covers Internet Gaming License (IGL) holders and other related practitioners.
Morente further warned the remaining foreign POGO workers who have not yet left the country, requiring them to leave the Philippines by December 31, otherwise, they will be permanently blacklisted from entry. He added: "Starting next year, we will thoroughly clean up and track all illegal overstayers."
The Philippine government's ban on POGO operations is considered an important measure to improve public order and curb related criminal activities. Currently, the Bureau of Immigration is working with law enforcement agencies to ensure strict enforcement of the order, while intensifying efforts to track down missing persons.
