BI warns firms, individuals 'harboring' illegal POGO workers | ABS-CBN
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BI warns firms, individuals 'harboring' illegal POGO workers
BI warns firms, individuals 'harboring' illegal POGO workers
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 08, 2025 02:05 PM PHT
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Updated Jan 08, 2025 04:21 PM PHT
Authorities 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
Authorities 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 NewsMANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said they would go after individuals or companies "harboring" POGO workers staying illegally in the country following a ban on the sector.
MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday said they would go after individuals or companies "harboring" POGO workers staying illegally in the country following a ban on the sector.
In July, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced the banning of POGOs, which effectively downgraded the working visas of the foreign workers employed by the industry.
In July, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. announced the banning of POGOs, which effectively downgraded the working visas of the foreign workers employed by the industry.
"The Bureau will not hesitate to file charges against anyone found violating Section 46 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940... Harboring illegal aliens is a serious offense, and we will pursue violators with the utmost resolve," BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
"The Bureau will not hesitate to file charges against anyone found violating Section 46 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940... Harboring illegal aliens is a serious offense, and we will pursue violators with the utmost resolve," BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
The BI issued the warning amid the impending deportation proceedings for more than 11,000 former POGO workers who failed to leave the Philippines before the December 31, 2024 deadline.
The BI issued the warning amid the impending deportation proceedings for more than 11,000 former POGO workers who failed to leave the Philippines before the December 31, 2024 deadline.
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The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the number included foreign POGO workers who failed to downgrade their visas or voluntarily leave the Philippines as well as those who downgraded their visas but stayed in the country after their visitor visas lapsed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the number included foreign POGO workers who failed to downgrade their visas or voluntarily leave the Philippines as well as those who downgraded their visas but stayed in the country after their visitor visas lapsed.
“Anyone who enables these individuals to remain in the Philippines illegally will face the consequences. The law is clear, and there will be no exceptions,” the BI said.
“Anyone who enables these individuals to remain in the Philippines illegally will face the consequences. The law is clear, and there will be no exceptions,” the BI said.
Viado urged the public to report individuals or firms suspected of harboring the illegal aliens and assured that the information "will be treated with confidentiality."
Viado urged the public to report individuals or firms suspected of harboring the illegal aliens and assured that the information "will be treated with confidentiality."
The BI is currently conducting extensive manhunt operations against the remaining POGO foreign workers in the country, who are now considered illegal aliens, DOJ said.
The BI is currently conducting extensive manhunt operations against the remaining POGO foreign workers in the country, who are now considered illegal aliens, DOJ said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he would still go after banks and other financial institutions who failed to report suspicious bank activities that could have been related to POGOs.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said he would still go after banks and other financial institutions who failed to report suspicious bank activities that could have been related to POGOs.
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“We are working on a resolution, a separate resolution on that kasi nga yan ang isang anggulo na hindi nabigyan ng spotlight but yung money laundering is equally as big of a crime that POGO has perpetuated so dapat tignan natin din natin yan in detail,” Gatchalian said on Wednesday.
“We are working on a resolution, a separate resolution on that kasi nga yan ang isang anggulo na hindi nabigyan ng spotlight but yung money laundering is equally as big of a crime that POGO has perpetuated so dapat tignan natin din natin yan in detail,” Gatchalian said on Wednesday.
During the height of the Senate investigation on POGOs and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, Gatchalian revealed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) allegedly failed to detect billions of pesos that entered the country for the construction of a POGO complex in Bamban.
During the height of the Senate investigation on POGOs and dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo, Gatchalian revealed that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) allegedly failed to detect billions of pesos that entered the country for the construction of a POGO complex in Bamban.
“Paano nakapasok P7 billion nang di nadedetect ng AMLC? At bakit hindi na dinedeclare ng bangko? Tayo nga di ba pag nag-deposit ka ng more than P500,000 magre-report ka na kaagad eh. Ito ang dineposit P7 billion pero hindi nare-report. So definitely merong pagkukulang doon,” Gatchalian said.
“Paano nakapasok P7 billion nang di nadedetect ng AMLC? At bakit hindi na dinedeclare ng bangko? Tayo nga di ba pag nag-deposit ka ng more than P500,000 magre-report ka na kaagad eh. Ito ang dineposit P7 billion pero hindi nare-report. So definitely merong pagkukulang doon,” Gatchalian said.
— With a report from Victoria Tulad, ABS-CBN News
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