Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Sunday, July 28, ordered all Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to downgrade the visas of their foreign workers who should leave within 59 days from receipt of the directive.
In a statement, Tansingco reminded that President Marcos in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last Monday, July 22, instructed the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) to have all POGO operations ceased by the end of this year.
“Companies are expected to comply with this directive and file for the downgrading of their employees’ visas, who shall then leave the country within 59 days from the date of the downgrading order,” Tansingco said.
Tansingco expects more than 20,000 foreigners working with POGOs to leave the country in the following months.
He stressed that deportation cases will be filed against foreigners who fail to comply with the downgrading order and with the date of departure from the country.
In implementing the President’s directive, Tansingco said the BI will be coordinating with other visa-issuing authorities.
He also said that the BI will be working jointly with other law enforcement authorities in intensifying its manhunt operations against illegal online gaming companies with the aim of deporting foreign nationals still working in said establishments.
The BI had sought from PAGCOR a list of foreign nationals in its database who work in POGOs but whose licenses were either suspended or no longer renewed.
“We will work on this information to further track down other foreign nationals who might still be staying in the country illegally despite the closing down of their companies,” Tansingco said.
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