The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) revealed that since the launch of the operation against illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) in 2023, the agency has spent approximately 210 million pesos over the past two years on the accommodation of arrested POGO workers.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Gasao stated that to maintain the basic living needs of these foreign workers awaiting deportation, including food, water, electricity, security, and administrative costs, the commission spends about 35 million pesos every four months.
"We have been dealing with this issue for nearly two years, and the cumulative expenditure might have reached 210 million pesos," Gasao said at a presidential palace press conference.
Since the immigration bureau's detention center in Tayi City can only accommodate up to 100 foreigners awaiting deportation, PAOCC has been forced to bear some of the accommodation costs. Immigration bureau spokesperson Dana Sandoval mentioned that the commission has played a key role in accommodating these workers, enabling the immigration bureau to smoothly carry out the deportation procedures.
Data shows that by December 2024, PAOCC has successfully deported 2121 foreign workers involved in illegal POGO, with about 340 still waiting for deportation.
Gasao added that this expenditure should be considered together with the assets seized during the operation. He revealed that PAOCC has confiscated assets worth approximately 20 to 30 billion pesos, including real estate, vehicles, and other valuable items.
Furthermore, the Anti-Money Laundering Council has instructed relevant agencies to conduct market appraisals of the seized assets. The seized assets include not only 134 vehicles but also high-value properties in Pasay City, a hotel in Cebu, and large estates in Danzhen Province and Bangbangya Province.
PAOCC emphasized that it will continue to advance the cleanup operations against illegal POGO, ensuring that illegal operators are legally sanctioned and accelerating the deportation process of illegal workers.
