Philippines Intensifies Crackdown on 11,000+ Illegal online Gambling Workers
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced a major crackdown on Friday, january 3rd, 2025, targeting over 11,000 foreign nationals working illegally in the country’s Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) industry. These individuals,now considered illegal aliens,failed to meet a December 31st,2024 deadline to leave the country.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated, “I have ordered our intelligence division to initiate the search for those at large. They are considered illegal aliens now.Expect an intensified manhunt against these illegal aliens. The order of the President is clear. No more POGO in the Philippines.”
The crackdown targets two groups: those who failed to downgrade their visas and leave by the deadline, and those who downgraded their visas but still remained in the country past the December 31st deadline. According to Commissioner Viado,”Foreign nationals who continue to disobey this will be arrested,deported,and blacklisted. no exceptions.”
BI data reveals that of the 33,863 foreign POGO employees initially registered with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), 24,779 successfully downgraded their visas.However, only 22,609 ultimately left the country before the deadline, leaving a significant number subject to deportation.
This intensified effort reflects the Philippine government’s ongoing efforts to regulate the POGO industry and address concerns about illegal activities and potential security risks. The implications of this crackdown extend beyond the Philippines, potentially impacting the global online gambling market and raising questions about the future of POGO operations in the region.
The BI’s decisive action underscores the government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining national security. The manhunt is expected to be extensive, with the BI utilizing all available resources to locate and deport the remaining illegal workers.
(PNA)
