The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is intensifying its crackdown on over 11,000 foreigners involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO).
According to Director Joel Anthony Viado, a total of 11,254 foreign POGO workers will be deported.
"I have ordered our intelligence department to start searching for these fugitives. They are now considered illegal aliens. The crackdown on these illegal aliens will be intensified. The President's directive is clear. There are no more POGOs in the Philippines," said the Immigration Commissioner at a press conference on Friday.
He explained that those to be deported are those who have not downgraded and left the country before the deadline of December 31, 2024.
This also includes those who have downgraded but still have not left before the deadline.
"Foreigners who continue to violate regulations will be arrested, deported, and blacklisted. No exceptions," Viado said.
Immigration data shows that out of 33,863 POGO workers under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, 24,779 had their visas downgraded.
A total of 22,609 foreign POGO workers left the Philippines before the deadline.
