Philippine senator calls for continued efforts against offshore gaming operators

Senator Gatchalian has said that authorities need to “clear out all criminal syndicates that are products of offshore gaming operators”.

The Philippines.- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called for sustained action against offshore gaming operators. He said: “More than ever, we need to sustain our efforts to clear out all criminal syndicates that are products of POGOs. We must stay the course to ensure a safer and more secure Philippines for all Filipinos.”

In a press release issued today (January 8), Gatchalian warned that although president Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr’s ban on offshore gaming operators entered force on December 31, 2024, there are illegal gaming operators that continue operating in the country disguised as business process outsourcing (BPO) companies, resorts and restaurants.

He added: “All law enforcement agencies, in close coordination with local government units, as well as the general public, must remain vigilant against the presence of offshore gaming operators offshoots disguised as legitimate business entities.”

According to Gatchalian, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) is working with other groups to track down about 11,000 former offshore gaming workers who are set for deportation.

Gatchalian mentioned that these illegal workers might get involved in crimes like kidnapping. “Because they have evaded deportation, we can safely assume that these illegal aliens are onto something unlawful and vigilance of everyone is necessary to ensure that such activities are arrested and these aliens are deported as soon as possible,” he said.

Gatchalian also thanked the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) for its efforts to cancel birth certificates that were fraudulently acquired. “Although we commend the OSG for their action, we also want to request that they speed up their action against pretending foreigners to stop their abusive activities in the country,” he ended.

Philippines DOJ warns foreign offshore gaming workers who are still in the country

The Department of Justice (DOJ) warned that foreign offshore gaming workers who are still in the country will face serious legal issues.

On Sunday (January 5), justice secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) found that about 11,000 foreign offshore gaming workers are still in the Philippines.

According to Remulla, those workers who are still in the country are people who did not downgrade their visas or leave the Philippines last year, as well as those who downgraded their visas but missed the deadline.

To address this, the BI has increased efforts to locate and deport these workers. Remulla said: “The President is unequivocally clear that offshore gaming operators have no place here in the Philippines and we vow to give our all-out support for the sake and welfare of the Filipino people.

“This administration stands firm in its resolve to intensify its guerilla operations against non-compliant offshore gaming operators.”

Senator Gatchalian has said that authorities need to “clear out all criminal syndicates that are products of offshore gaming operators”. The Philippines.- Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has called for sustained action against offshore…