BI: Individuals harboring rouge POGO workers face criminal raps

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday warned of criminal charges against companies and individuals who will harbor rouge Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) employees following the expiry of the December 31, 2024 deadline for the ban on the operations of the online gamble.

In an advisory, the BI likewise called on to the public to report any relevant information on the foreign POGO workers who refused to exit the country, as they are now considered illegal aliens in the Philippines.

“Pursuant to Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, in relation to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s pronouncement banning all POGOS and Executive No. 74 series of 2024, the Bureau will file appropriate criminal charges against any person who will conceal, harbor, employ, or give comfort to any alien not lawfully entitled to reside in the Philippines,” the BI said.

“The public is hereby encouraged to report any relevant information about illegal aliens in the country through our official social media accounts, email addresses, and hotlines,” it added.

Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandolval last week urged more than 11,000 POGO foreign workers who have yet to leave the Philippines to surrender to authorities.

Sandoval earlier said that out of the 33,863 foreign nationals, a total of 22,609 have already exited the Philippines. This means that 11,254 foreign POGO workers are still in the country.

“The best way na sumuko sila kesa hanapin pa sila. Sumuko sila so they can be deported in a more quiet way. Ilalabas na lang sila, wala ng fanfare,” said Sandoval.

[The best way is for them to surrender. Surrender so that they can be deported in a more quiet way. They will just be brought out without fanfare.]

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in July last year banned all POGOs after several such businesses were implicated in crimes, including human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and money scams.

In November 2024, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74, which states that the ban on POGOs and internet gaming licenses shall encompass illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations.

An interagency has also been formed—composed of BI, the Department of Justice, DOLE, and others—to oversee the closure of POGOs and assist affected workers.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation earlier announced there would be no POGOs operating in the country by the end of 2024. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News