Justice Minister Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla issued a stern warning to illegal POGO workers, who continue to stay in the Philippines despite President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.'s ultimatum to leave the country by the end of 2024.
According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), about 11,000 foreign POGO workers were deported last year for failing to leave the country.
This number includes foreign POGO workers who failed to downgrade their visa status or voluntarily leave the Philippines, as well as those who downgraded their visa status but failed to leave the country within the prescribed deadline by the authorities.
Currently, the Bureau of Immigration is conducting a large-scale crackdown on the remaining foreign POGO workers considered illegal in the country.
In this regard, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reiterated the government's call for all foreign workers of overseas gaming companies to comply with Philippine authorities, or face severe legal consequences, such as permanent blacklisting and other sanctions.
"The President has made it clear that there should be no overseas gaming companies in the Philippines, and we swear to fully support the interests and welfare of the Filipino people," Minister Remulla emphasized.
"This administration is firmly determined to intensify guerrilla actions against non-compliant overseas gaming companies," Remulla emphasized.
