BI: No more extension of Dec 31 deadline for foreign POGO workers to leave the country | ABS-CBN
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BI: No more extension of Dec 31 deadline for foreign POGO workers to leave the country
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) along Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31,2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) along Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raid a BPO compound in Bagac, Bataan on October 31,2024 alleged to be a Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO), following a search warrant for human trafficking violations. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration on Friday reminded foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that there will be no more extension of the December 31 deadline for them to leave the country, following the President's order to shut down their operations by the end of the year.
MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration on Friday reminded foreign workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) that there will be no more extension of the December 31 deadline for them to leave the country, following the President's order to shut down their operations by the end of the year.
Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval says of the 33,000 foreign POGO workers, at least 21,000 have already downgraded their Philippine visas, with the majority of the number already leaving the country.
Immigration Spokesperson Dana Sandoval says of the 33,000 foreign POGO workers, at least 21,000 have already downgraded their Philippine visas, with the majority of the number already leaving the country.
"So we expect around 6,000 to 7,000 to leave the country in the coming days…because if they do not after December 31 leave aabutan na sila ng blacklisting. Deportation procedures na po tayo and blacklisting," Sandoval said.
"So we expect around 6,000 to 7,000 to leave the country in the coming days…because if they do not after December 31 leave aabutan na sila ng blacklisting. Deportation procedures na po tayo and blacklisting," Sandoval said.
The official says the same procedures apply to foreign workers who plan to eventually return to the Philippines in the future.
The official says the same procedures apply to foreign workers who plan to eventually return to the Philippines in the future.
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"That's the advice we are giving po, if they have reason to come back to the Philippines— kapag meron silang asawa, anak sa Pilipinas, they should comply with the regulations," Sandoval said.
"That's the advice we are giving po, if they have reason to come back to the Philippines— kapag meron silang asawa, anak sa Pilipinas, they should comply with the regulations," Sandoval said.
"They should go out of the country to comply with the downgrading. They can return kapag sila ay may lehitimong rason na bumalik sa Pilipinas, kasi kapag hindi po sila umalis, hindi sila nagcomply sa regulations, they will be blacklisted. Meaning they will be prevented from reentering the Philippines, at lalong magiging mas mahirap sa kanila na bumalik at mag-reunite with their families," she added.
"They should go out of the country to comply with the downgrading. They can return kapag sila ay may lehitimong rason na bumalik sa Pilipinas, kasi kapag hindi po sila umalis, hindi sila nagcomply sa regulations, they will be blacklisted. Meaning they will be prevented from reentering the Philippines, at lalong magiging mas mahirap sa kanila na bumalik at mag-reunite with their families," she added.
"That is why we should follow the policies of the national government to downgrade na po ang mga visas nila, itigil na ang online gaming operations at lumabas na po ng bansa ang kanilang foreign workers."
"That is why we should follow the policies of the national government to downgrade na po ang mga visas nila, itigil na ang online gaming operations at lumabas na po ng bansa ang kanilang foreign workers."
In July, Marcos Jr. ordered the government to shut down all POGO operations in the country after congressional investigations showed that the massive offshore gambling industry in the Philippines has been linked to crimes including torture and money laundering.
In July, Marcos Jr. ordered the government to shut down all POGO operations in the country after congressional investigations showed that the massive offshore gambling industry in the Philippines has been linked to crimes including torture and money laundering.
Several senators are pushing for the passage of an Anti-POGO Act, which will include a provision that all POGO assets can be "forfeited in favor of the government."
Several senators are pushing for the passage of an Anti-POGO Act, which will include a provision that all POGO assets can be "forfeited in favor of the government."
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