BI expedites deportation of POGO workers to cut costs

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is expediting the deportation of foreign nationals involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to reduce government expenses.

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval cited the daily cost of ₱70 per detainee for food, along with logistical expenses, as reasons for prioritizing swift deportations, and detention facilities are facing overcrowding.

As of February 24, a total of 226 foreign nationals have been deported.

On February 25, 98 Chinese nationals working in illegal POGOs were deported via a chartered flight to China, including 91 from a larger group arrested in Parañaque City on January 8, and seven from the BI's detention facility in Bicutan, along with 10 Vietnamese nationals deported via commercial flight.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado announced that more POGO workers are scheduled for deportation in the coming days, noting that around 450 foreign nationals were arrested at the start of the year, with over a hundred deported within two weeks.

More than 22,000 POGO workers have voluntarily departed the country, while the movements of the remaining 11,000 are being monitored.

The BI is working with other government agencies like the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Philippine National Police (PNP), and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in a whole-of-government approach to locate remaining POGO workers.