The Philippines Bureau of Immigration has launched an intensive search for over 11,000 foreign workers who remained in the country after the December 31, 2024 deadline to leave following the shutdown of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs).

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado confirmed that approximately 11,254 former POGO employees are now considered illegal aliens. This follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s July order to shut down the country's online gambling industry, which primarily targeted Chinese gamblers.

The crackdown comes after years of pressure from Chinese President Xi Jinping, who opposed POGOs for facilitating illegal gambling among Chinese citizens. At its peak in 2019, the POGO industry generated about $3 billion from overseas players and employed roughly 40,000 workers, many of them Mandarin-speaking Chinese nationals.

Former POGO workers face a difficult situation: returning to China risks prosecution for participating in overseas gambling operations, while staying in the Philippines now means living illegally. Many workers reported being lured to the Philippines with false promises of better lives, only to face poor working conditions.

The Philippine government has also warned property owners that allowing POGOs to operate on their premises will result in criminal prosecution and possible asset forfeiture. Recent reports indicate some operations have attempted to continue by relocating to apartments and hotel rooms.

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