Philippine authorities have raised concerns over an “increasing number” of nationals being smuggled out of the country to work in offshore online gambling operations, after the government phased out its Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) industry.
The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration issued a statement on Tuesday warning of an “increasing number of Filipino trafficking victims illegally departing the country through backdoor routes to work in ‘POGO-like’ ‘companies abroad.”
“The Bureau of Immigration has been actively strengthening border security measures, but the agency stresses the need for greater coordination with local authorities to prevent illegal departures through other routes,” the statement read.
The Philippine President, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, said in July that POGOs – also known as Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs) – would need to end their business in the country by the end of 2024.
Since then, industry observers have speculated that some operators may have moved underground and relocated to other parts of Southeast Asia.
Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado of the Bureau of Immigration underscored the need for a concerted effort to tackle the issue.
“Everyone must work together as there is a need to strengthen efforts at all levels to curb illegal departures,” the official stated.
“Traffickers are exploiting illegal routes to avoid detection by immigration, making it crucial for local government units and local authorities to increase monitoring and enforcement in vulnerable areas,” he added said in comments carried in Tuesday’s release.
