Philippine Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla reiterated the government’s stance against Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive for all POGO workers to leave the country by the end of 2024. Despite the deadline, an estimated 11,000 foreign workers linked to the banned industry remain in the Philippines, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
“The President is unequivocally clear that POGOs have no place here in the Philippines,” Remulla stressed. “We vow to give our all-out support for the sake and welfare of the Filipino people.”
The workers in question either failed to downgrade their visas, voluntarily leave the country, or comply with departure deadlines after downgrading. The Department of Justice (DOJ), along with the BI, has intensified operations to identify and deport these illegal aliens.
Guerilla operations target defiant workers
Remulla revealed that the government has launched a “guerilla-style campaign” to track and apprehend POGO workers who continue to evade deportation. He warned those remaining in the country to surrender voluntarily or face severe penalties, including permanent blacklisting and legal sanctions.
“This administration stands firm in its resolve to intensify operations against non-compliant POGOs,” he said. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado echoed this warning, stating that those who defy the law “will be arrested, deported, and blacklisted. No exceptions.”
BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval highlighted the challenges in locating these individuals, many of whom have moved into residential areas. She also warned the public against harbouring illegal POGO workers, noting that such actions constitute aiding and abetting illegal aliens.
Criminal syndicates persist
Justice Undersecretary Felix Nicholas Ty explained that some POGO operators have adopted covert tactics, downsizing their operations and relocating to provinces or inconspicuous locations to avoid detection. He said the syndicates persist in their operations, even in smaller setups, because of the sunk costs in their infrastructure.
Illegal POGO activities, often disguised as legitimate businesses such as hotels and restaurants, have been linked to crimes including human trafficking, money laundering, and online fraud. The DOJ, BI, and other agencies are coordinating efforts to dismantle these operations and deport the remaining workers.
Fraudulent citizenship documents exposed
In a related development, Senator Pia Cayetano lauded the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for cancelling fraudulently obtained birth certificates used by some foreign nationals, including POGO workers, to claim Philippine citizenship falsely.
Cayetano said the cancellation of the fraudulent documents sends a clear message: Philippine citizenship is not for sale. She emphasised the need for sustained cooperation among government agencies to address vulnerabilities in the civil registration system.
Cayetano revealed that the Senate investigation uncovered systematic fraud, with some foreign nationals paying up to PHP300,000 (€4,976) for forged government IDs. She cited a case in Davao del Sur where 54 suspicious birth certificates were linked to foreign parents, showing clear signs of forgery.
The senator said while they welcome this step, proactive coordination between agencies is crucial to preventing similar schemes in the future.
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