BI to revoke POGO workers' visas following ban

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday it would revoke the visas granted to foreigners employed in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) firms following the immediate ban on the online gambling companies.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the agency would coordinate with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) for the cancellation of permits issued to the POGO hubs and its foreign employees.

Tansingsco also said he shared Marcos’ view that the social costs of POGO hubs outweighed its benefits as the BI deported over 2,300 foreign workers employed in scam hubs.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the country after a series of raids against illegal POGOs revealed equipment used for torture, love scams, and other crimes.

The DOLE earlier said jobs and livelihood programs would be offered to Filipino workers affected by the ban on POGOs.

For its part, PAGCOR said some 40,000 Filipino employees from POGO firms would be affected by the ban.

Meanwhile, Tansingco said the BI was procuring 61 electronic gates (e-gates) for phase 1 of the e-gate expansion project, which lessens processing time for arriving travelers.

Major international airports in the country now have 21 e-gates installed, and more are expected to be added within the year. — DVM, GMA Integrated News