Foreign POGO workers given until Oct. 15 to voluntarily repatriate

MANILA – Foreign workers of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) have until Oct. 15 to voluntarily repatriate, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Thursday.

This was agreed upon by the "Task Force POGO Closure" composed of the DOJ, Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) during a high-level meeting, according to a news release.

"Consequently, starting on October 16, 2024, all 9G visas of affected foreign POGO workers would be downgraded to tourist visas and they would have to leave the Philippines within 60 days or face involuntary repatriation," the DOJ said.

The meeting was convened pursuant to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive during his 3rd State of the Nation Address (SONA) to ban all POGOs in the country by the end of the year.

The Task Force aims to establish a clear, organized and streamlined set of guidelines for the total prohibition of POGO operations throughout the country by the end of the year without sacrificing the welfare of the workers who will be affected by the Presidential directive.

"This may just be the first one that would be convened by us in order for us to have a streamlined, systematic and efficient process of implementing the policy directive of our President," Justice Undersecretary Raul Vasquez said.

PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, however, warned that the most challenging part for the Task Force in weeding out POGOs from the country begins on the "very first day" of 2025 as they foresee that "POGO operators will try to employ dirty tactics to hide their illegal business."

At present, the 41 licensed POGOs under PAGCOR have already expressed their intention to yield to the directive of President Marcos and completely cease operations.

The DOJ assured it will continue to work closely with the Task Force until the total POGO ban is smoothly implemented before the year ends.

"The harm and danger fueled by illegal POGO activities have undeniably placed public safety and national security at risk for quite some time and justice will never take these matters sitting down," Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.

"With the President's guidance, we can now unleash the full consequences of the law against these undesirable elements of society." (PNA)