Up to 10,000 Pogo-Linked Foreigners in Philippines Amid Criticisms of Inaction

Immigration chief accused of misdeeds

A SENIOR official of the Bureau of Immigration has accused Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado of delaying key deportation cases, favoring well-connected individuals, and tolerating corrupt practices. In a four-page letter dated June 13, a copy of which was obtained by The Manila Times, Immigration Executive Chairman Gilberto Repizo detailed what he described as "systemic dysfunction" under Viado's watch, including an alleged P30-million payoff sche…

BI assures full cooperation in Senate’s probe on ‘corruptions’

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthoy M. Viado on Sunday, June 15, said the he and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will fully cooperate with the Senate in the probe on alleged corruptions.“We believe that the planned hearings at the Senate will help us further ferret out the undesirable elements in the agency and to sustain the momentum of our reforms,” Viado said.Viado issued the statement in response to the pronouncement made by Sen. Sherwin Gat…

Up to 10,000 Pogo-linked foreigners in Philippines amid criticisms of inaction

A senior official says a detention facility in Pasay, where many linked to Pogos are held, is finding it hard to cope with overcrowding.

Gatchalian seeks probe on BI’s alleged mishandling of POGO-related deportations

Gatchalian seeks probe on BI"s alleged mishandling of POGO deportations

Gatchalian urges DOH action on disease spread in PAOCC detention

By Wilnard Bacelonia ILLEGAL WORKERS. Twenty-nine foreign nationals – six from Myanmar and 23 from mainland China – are arrested during a raid on a guerrilla-type Philippine offshore gaming operator firm at a resort in Silang, Cavite on Jan. 15, 2025. Authorities recently reported a surge of infections inside a government holding facility where hundreds of foreign nationals allegedly involved in illegal POGO operations are being detained. (Photo…