PAOCC plans to deport over 1,000 POGO workers this week

The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) is planning to deport over 1,000 Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) workers currently in their custody within the week.

Executive Director Gilbert Cruz stated that these individuals are being held at a PAOCC facility in Pasay City and some require medical treatment for dialysis or HIV.

Last Friday, seven Indonesian POGO workers surrendered to PAOCC due to exhaustion from raids and fear of arrest.

PAOCC is closely coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on deportations, as the number of detainees has increased after some foreigners opted to voluntarily surrender.

Out of 33,863 foreign POGO workers, BI reported that 11,254 are still in the country, including 518 who have been arrested.