MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has given marching orders and told all workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) to leave the country within 60 days.
This comes after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared a total ban on POGOs in the country during his third State of the Nation Address.
During his speech, Marcos said illegal activities related to POGOs must stop.
“Disguising as legitimate entities, their operations have ventured into illicit areas furthest from gaming such as financial scamming, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, brutal torture, even murder,” Marcos said.
Commissioner Norman Tantingco said in a release Wednesday that foreign nationals employed by POGOs and IGLs, along with their associated service providers, will have 59 days to end their activities and depart from the country.
He said that approximately 20,000 foreign workers in this industry will leave the country within the next two months.
The official likewise said that all pending applications and new applications for visas for POGO and IGL workers will be denied by the BI.
Tansingco noted that the bureau has a list of foreigners working in POGOs and IGLs, which were acquired from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).
According to the bureau, POGO and IGL workers who violate would face deportation proceedings. He has also directed their intelligence division and fugitive search unit to intensify arrests of violators and illegal online gaming operations.
Currently, the agency has already deported over 2,300 workers involved in scam hubs posing as gaming companies in the Philippines.
