BI mandates direct flights for all POGO deportees

The Bureau of Immigration has ordered all foreign nationals being deported for their links to illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) operations to be placed on direct flights back to their home countries.

According to a statement Tuesday, the order was issued Friday under BI Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 2025-002 in order to close a critical loophole often exploited by POGO deportees.

The order banned deportation flights with layovers, save for countries with no direct route from the Philippines.

“This is uncharted territory since we started mass deportations and arrests this year in compliance with President Ferdinand ‘Bong Bong’ Marcos’ declaration of a POGO ban,” said Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado.

“The discussions during Senate hearings allowed us to hear other perspective that we have included in our discussions. This is a firm step in strengthening our deportation procedures. Removing direct flights for POGO-related foreign nationals would lower opportunities of them expanding their operations in other countries in the Asian region,” he added.

The BI said it is now closely coordinating with the Department of Justice, airlines, and foreign embassies to implement the new directive.

He also urged lawmakers to further support the policy through legislation.

“I extend my deepest appreciation to Senators (Sherwin) Gatchalian,  (Risa) Hontiveros, at sa lahat ng mambabatas na tumulong sa pagsulong ng repormang ito. (and to all the lawmakers who helped implement this reform.) Their commitment to closing loopholes in our deportation process has been instrumental in ensuring that foreign syndicates cannot exploit our system. We stand with them in making our immigration policies stronger and more secure,” he said.

Meanwhile, the BI is looking into implementing additional security enhancements for deportation procedures.

“This is just the beginning. We will continue reviewing and strengthening our deportation processes to prevent criminals from finding ways back into the country or evading justice,” Viado said.

“Pinapakita ng polisiyang ito na seryoso ang pamahalaan sa pagsugpo ng transnational crimes at pagpapalakas ng seguridad ng ating bansa. Hindi natin papayagan ang mga dayuhang kriminal na samantalahin ang ating sistema. Ang ating mensahe ay malinaw—kung ikaw ay lumabag sa batas, sisiguraduhin namin na tuluyan kang mapapalabas ng Pilipinas nang walang pagkakataong mapalawak ang inyong sindikato,” he added.

(This policy shows that the government is serious in eradicating transnational crimes and strengthening the country’s security. We will not allow foreign criminals to take advantage of our system. Our message is clear—if you violate our laws, we will make sure that you will be deported from the country so that your syndicate will have no chance to expand.) —Jiselle Anne Casucian/RF, GMA Integrated News