The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of the Philippines has agreed to expedite the issuance of necessary permits to foreign nationals arrested for working illegally with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), to speed up the deportation process.
On February 24, the Director of the Bureau of Immigration, Joel Anthony M. Viado, stated, "Our goal is to have them leave the Philippines as soon as possible."
Viado explained that deporting foreign nationals requires three key documents: a valid passport or travel document, a plane ticket out of the country, and an NBI clearance to prove that the individuals have no pending legal liabilities in the Philippines. To accelerate the process, the Immigration Bureau's Deportation and Enforcement Division has collaborated with the NBI to ensure that clearances are issued within one day.
He further emphasized that the primary task of the Immigration Bureau is to implement the directive issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to prohibit POGO operations and to deport the involved foreigners as quickly as possible.
"The longer these individuals stay in the Philippines, the more detention costs the government has to bear," Viado noted, "Therefore, we are taking all possible measures to prioritize arranging their departure as soon as possible."
It is understood that in recent years, the Philippine government has intensified its crackdown on illegal POGO operations and strengthened cooperation with various governments to ensure that the involved foreign nationals are deported according to law.
