POGO, IGL foreign workers must leave PH following ban - BI

Foreign workers employed in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) and internet gambling licensee (IGL) companies will be given 60 days to exit the Philippines following the ban on these businesses.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said at least 20,000 foreign POGO and IGL employees were expected to leave the country in the next two months.

Tansingco also said the BI will deny all pending and new applications for visas for POGO and IGL employees.

According to the BI chief, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) shared a list of foreign employees and warned that those who violate their directive will be subjected to deportation proceedings.

He also issued instructions to the BI intelligence division and fugitive search unit to intensify arrests against violators and illegal online gaming hubs.

During his third State of the Nation Address on Monday, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs after a series of raids against illegal POGOs revealed equipment used for torture, love scams, and other crimes.

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

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

Earlier, the BI said it would revoke the visas granted to foreigners employed at POGO hubs. It also said it had deported over 2,300 foreign workers employed in scam hubs operating under the guise of gaming companies in the country.  —VBL, GMA Integrated News