‘Stop using transit flights in deporting POGO workers’

MANILA, Philippines — Saying connecting flights are used to escape to other countries, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) advised the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to stop using transit flights in deporting foreigners caught working in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs.

PAOCC spokesman Winston John Casio said they have asked the BI deportation implementation unit to disallow transit flights in deporting POGO workers.

“We made a plea to them, do not allow transit flights if it is via voluntary deportation, allowed departure or summary deportation, especially if they are Chinese,” Casio said in a news forum in Quezon City.

Casio said some Chinese POGO workers buy tickets with connecting flights, but do not board the rest of the trip to China.

As example, he cited the case of Indonesian POGO workers who were arrested in a guerilla-type POGO facility in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu last year.

The Indonesians bought tickets to Indonesia via Singapore.

However, when they landed in Singapore, the foreigners reportedly book a flight to Cambodia where they are now working in scam hubs.

Casio said PAOCC is also eyeing the filing of criminal cases for violation of Republic Act 9208, or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, against the owner of ATI building in Parañaque City where a suspected POGO hub was raided on Thursday night.

Based on the latest count, 148 foreigners, including 136 Chinese, were arrested in the operation.

Casio did not identify the building’s owner but said he is a “well-known business personality within the Filipino-Chinese community.”

“We could implead him as a principal in the qualified human trafficking case,” Casio said, noting that a number of POGO workers, mostly Vietnamese, were used as models for love scams.

Initial investigation revealed that the POGO hub has been operating for two years. It transferred to the building in Parañaque after the Marcos administration banned the industry in the country.

Following this, Casio said PAOCC would move for the forfeiture of the building in favor of the government.

Parañaque denies issuing permit

Parañaque, in a statement sent to The STAR, asserted its “zero-tolerance policy” against POGOs with city administrator Voltaire dela Cruz saying “these criminals occupying the said area have no valid business permit.”

Dela Cruz noted that Mayor Eric Olivarez formed a composite team in January to inspect establishments with suspected illegal activities to ensure that no POGO would be operating in the city.

The committee is led by the Business Permit and Licensing Office and composed of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection and other key departments.

“This initiative reflects our zero-tolerance policy against illegal operations and our commitment to protecting the welfare of our residents and legitimate businesses,” the statement read. — EJ Macababbad