3K foreign POGO workers leave PH after downgrading visas

MANILA – Some 3,000 foreign workers from Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) with downgraded visas have already left the country, the Bureau of Immigration said in a news release on Saturday.

During a meeting of the "Task Force POGO Closure," BI Officer-in-Charge Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, reported that as of Sept. 24, they have downgraded 5,955 visas.

Of the total, some 55 percent are already out of the Philippines.

The task force is composed of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission and the BI.

Also in attendance were representatives of the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation.

"During the meeting, members agreed to conduct service days for POGO companies, where we will implement their downgraded visa status and issue exit clearances," Viado said.

Viado said teams have been formed to personally go to POGOs, now known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs), and implement downgrading on-the-spot.

He added that DOLE representatives will likewise join them during service days to receive surrendered alien employment permits of the POGO workers.

He said the effort is part of the action taken by different government agencies to expedite the applications of POGOs or IGLs for its foreign workers to exit the country.

The DOJ earlier gave all foreign POGO workers until Oct. 15 to voluntarily downgrade.

Those who fail to apply before the deadline will be ordered to leave the country within 59 days.

If they do not leave before Dec. 31, the BI will initiate deportation proceedings.

Viado noted, however, that the more challenging period will come in 2025, when those who refused to leave will be arrested, deported and blacklisted from the Philippines.

Meanwhile, the BI reported the arrest of two fugitive South Korean nationals while attempting to extend their tourist visas at the head office in Intramuros, Manila on Sept. 26.

In a separate news release, BI's tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio, identified the duo as Lee Wonwoong, 33 and Huh Hwan, 60.

They were immediately arrested after their derogatory records came up during routine database checks.

Lee reportedly operated illegal gambling establishments while Huh is said to be wanted for multiple fraud cases.

The foreigners were brought to the BI facility inside Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig pending deportation proceedings. (PNA)