Philippines struggles to deport thousands of POGO-linked foreigners
Despite a crackdown last year, more than 10,000 foreigners involved in the now-banned Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO), primarily Chinese, still remain in the nation. Citing escalating national security threats, lawmakers are now demanding immediate action to find and deport these individuals.
The revelation came during a House of Representatives hearing led by the committee investigating POGOs and their alleged links to human rights violations, cyber fraud, and organised crime. Presidential Anti-Organised Crime Commission (PAOCC) chief Gilbert Cruz confirmed the figures, warning that enforcement efforts had been suspended due to major logistical setbacks.
No proper documentation available
“More than 9,000 illegal foreign workers remain unaccounted for,” Cruz said. “Many cannot be deported because they lack proper passports or identification.”
A converted POGO hub in Pasay City, now serving as a detention facility, is housing 640 detainees awaiting deportation. Cruz revealed the commission is struggling to feed and provide medical care to those detained, with two individuals dying due to illness and as many as 300 reportedly falling sick.
Efforts to coordinate with foreign embassies for travel documents have turned out to be “slow and unproductive”, further delaying deportations. The PAOCC has thus suspended more raids on undocumented workers to avoid exacerbating overcrowding.
In October 2024, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered all foreign POGO workers to voluntarily downgrade their working visas to tourist status by 2025 or face deportation. However, immigration officials admitted that no centralised system exists to track whether these orders were followed. Most downgraded visas have now expired, making these individuals unlawful residents.
Experts foresaw harsh outcomes
The examining committee’s chair, Representative Robert Ace Barbers, issued a warning that there are significant hazards involved. Some of these individuals might be spies or crooks. He remarked, “They’re moving freely among us. Action must be swift and decisive from the concerned agencies.”
The crisis follows a diplomatic incident in February when 10 Vietnamese POGO workers escaped during a layover in Cambodia, triggering complaints from Hanoi over poor coordination.
Experts had long warned of such a fallout. Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and human rights groups previously raised red flags about national security, human trafficking, and a lack of proper monitoring in the Pogo industry. The Anti-Money Laundering Council and foreign governments, including those of China, have also expressed serious concerns.
Chester Cabalza, president of the International Development and Security Cooperation think tank, said China should take responsibility for repatriating its nationals. He also recommended transferring detainees to provincial prisons to ease crowding in Metro Manila. Many observers are now suggesting the use of temporary travel documents for repatriation, which would facilitate the deportation process.
