Public Urged to Report Foreign POGO Workers for Deportation

Authorities in the Philippines are calling on the public to provide information on POGO firms that have gone "underground" following the recent ban on offshore gaming operators by the regulator PAGCOR.

The nation’s news agency reports that government representatives are encouraging citizens to use social media platforms or report to local government, immigration, or law enforcement to "flush out and deport" foreign workers associated with POGOs.

Surigao del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers specifically addressed the issue on Wednesday, focusing on Chinese nationals. “We all know that a number of them, who have pending criminal cases from their countries of origin, are still in the country and would rather stay and hide here than face the risk of being deported and punished at home,” Barbers said.

He further stated, “We know that many of them would now or later go underground and operate on small scales. But let us not allow these illegal online gambling firms, their owners and workers, to induce and corrupt our local and national authorities to turn a blind eye with the use of their laundered money.” Barbers also urged the public to help “identify and/or unmask […] POGO enablers, some of whom may again find new and huge financial opportunities by hiding, protecting and coddling all POGO personalities that are subjects of the ban.”

Foreign POGO workers have been given until September 24th to voluntarily leave the Philippines or face deportation. No exemptions will be granted, even for those with families and children in the country. The Bureau of Immigration has ordered approximately 20,000 foreign workers, primarily Chinese nationals, to leave the nation.

In a recent development, another raid on a suspected illegal POGO operation in Pampanga province was conducted on Tuesday. Authorities reported that two Chinese nationals were detained and 13 Chinese nationals were "rescued." The suspects face charges under the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act. If authorities follow their previous modus operandi, the victims will be deported and prohibited from re-entering the Philippines.

This crackdown is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with the ban and to address concerns about illegal activities and corruption associated with POGOs.

By fLEXI tEAM