The Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reports that due to detention facilities nearing capacity, nearly a thousand foreign nationals involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) are still detained awaiting deportation, causing a planned large-scale operation targeting 9,000 illegal POGO workers nationwide to be temporarily suspended.
PAOCC spokesperson Gasao revealed in an interview with radio station dzBB that currently, 947 foreign POGO employees are still detained in a detention center in Pasay City, among whom only 29 Indonesian nationals were deported back to their country on March 29.
Gasao stated that the deportation process is still ongoing, and more individuals are expected to be repatriated in the coming days. However, due to limited capacity, the progress of deportations is hindered.
To alleviate the issue of overburdened detention facilities, the government is considering using a building in Pasay City, currently undergoing confiscation proceedings, as an additional temporary detention site.
"If we can supplement our manpower, we hope to quickly convert this building into a temporary detention center to free up more space for subsequent actions," Gasao said.
PAOCC emphasizes that the government continues to provide basic medical services to detained foreign nationals, including weekly routine physical examinations and dental care. If detainees have special needs, they can also receive free medication and laboratory services, and those with severe illnesses are sent to government hospitals for treatment.
Currently, the Philippine government allocates 2 million pesos per month to cover the food and medication expenses of detained foreign nationals. For those with stronger financial capabilities who require emergency treatment, they may opt for private hospitals, but must be accompanied by PAOCC personnel, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) officials, and security staff throughout.
According to reports, some detained foreign nationals have been diagnosed with diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, HIV, and respiratory infections.
Gasao stated that all individuals with infectious diseases have been isolated to prevent the spread of viruses to other detainees.
Despite the government actively coordinating resources to ensure smooth deportation proceedings, the overburdened operation of detention facilities has become the biggest challenge in the current crackdown on illegal POGO activities.
