BI downgrading POGO workers’ working visas to tourist visas

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has already started downgrading the working visas of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators' (POGO) employees to tourist visas after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. banned POGO operations in the country.

BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco disclosed this at the Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed P40.585-billion budget of the Department of Justice and its attached agencies for 2025.

"With the announcement of banning of the POGOs, they have no more reason to be working here. So, we start already the downgrading. From working visa to tourist visa. That will allow them to settle all their accountabilities, secure clearances, and to leave the country within 59 days from the order of downgrading," Tansingco said.

As of August 27, Tansingco said they have already downgraded around 2,000 9G visas.

The BI, together with the Department of Justice and the Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), conducted a meeting with POGO representatives, during which the term was changed to Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) and they announced that the Immigration Bureau will accept the voluntary downgrading of working visas until October 15.

"By October 16, we will start the cancellation of 9G visas, leading to the termination of all operations by December 31, 2024," Tansingco said.

In line with this, Tansingco said BI had also stopped the acceptance of all application--new or renewal-- of working visas for POGO employees and all pending applications were already disapproved.

In his third State of the Nation Address in July, Marcos banned all POGOs in the country after a series of raids against these establishments where authorities discovered equipment used for torture and "love scams."

Marcos said POGOs have been implicated in crimes including scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder. — BM, GMA Integrated News