Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines, noted that the operational patterns of illegal POGOs are changing, with some smaller criminal groups shifting their operations to apartments and gated communities to evade regulation.
She also revealed that despite the government's earlier order to completely shut down the POGO industry, there are still about 11,254 foreign workers illegally staying in the Philippines and continuing to work for these underground POGOs.
The government stated that it will continue to strengthen enforcement efforts, hold relevant officials accountable, and accelerate the deportation process of illegal foreign workers to thoroughly eliminate the security risks brought by this illegal industry.
Dana Sandoval, spokesperson for the Bureau of Immigration (BI), disclosed that the majority of the foreign workers of illegal offshore gaming operators (POGO) still in the Philippines are from Vietnam, China, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
"We have confirmed that 11,254 foreign POGO workers are still staying in the Philippines. All those who have failed to depart as per government requirements have been put on a watch list and will face deportation procedures," Sandoval emphasized. "Once deported, they will be permanently blacklisted and banned from re-entering the Philippines."
Sandoval further explained that the government's crackdown mainly targets those foreign workers who had been working in licensed POGOs but remained in the Philippines after the industry was shut down, not those who have always been working in illegal POGOs.
She cited data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) stating that legal POGOs and online gaming license holders (IGL) employed about 33,863 foreigners, but only 22,609 have departed following the government's orders, leaving the rest considered as illegal immigrants.
At this press conference, Winston Casio, spokesperson for the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), also appeared, announcing his official reinstatement.
It is reported that Casio was suspended in November 2024 for allegedly abusing a Filipino during a POGO raid in Bagac City, Bataan Province. Regarding this, he has publicly apologized to the victim and has taken anger management courses and medication to control his emotions. He emphasized that he has now resumed normal work and pledged full cooperation with the government in combating illegal POGOs.
