POGO crackdown suspended due to overcrowded detention centres
The Philippine government is temporarily halting a crackdown on several Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) workers due to severe overcrowding in detention facilities, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed. The suspension affects operations targeting more than 9,000 foreign workers linked to the online gaming industry.
PAOCC spokesperson Winston Casio stated that 947 foreign workers remain in the agency’s detention center in Pasay as they await deportation. Local media reports that repatriation efforts are ongoing, with more deportations expected in the coming days.
Authorities are currently processing deportation paperwork, but the lack of available space for detainees has hindered further operations. To address this, the government is considering repurposing an additional building in Pasay as a custodial facility. However, this property is still undergoing forfeiture proceedings.
“Once we secure additional personnel, we hope to use the Pasay building as a custodial facility,” Casio said.
In accordance with international laws on the humane treatment of detainees, especially those charged with immigration-related offences, the Philippines is encountering significant challenges. The PAOCC is providing free medicines and laboratory services, and detainees requiring advanced medical care are transferred to government hospitals.
Detainees in need of medical aid
For detainees who want to afford private hospitalisation, the government allows access to private healthcare under strict supervision. These individuals are escorted by PAOCC personnel, officers from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and private security guards.
The government allocates PHP2 million (€32,294) monthly for food and medical expenses for the detained POGO workers. Several detainees have been diagnosed with communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, HIV, and respiratory infections. Infected individuals are placed in isolation to prevent the spread of disease.
Casio emphasised that the government remains committed to ensuring that all detainees receive proper medical care despite the challenges posed by overcrowding.
On 30 March 2025, 29 Indonesian workers were repatriated as part of the ongoing deportation process. However, nearly 1,000 detainees remain in limbo as authorities work to process their deportation documents and secure transport to their home countries.
Challenges disrupt crackdown
The government has acknowledged the difficulties in managing the high number of detainees and is exploring long-term solutions to streamline the deportation process. Officials aim to increase detention capacity and accelerate deportations to avoid prolonged detentions.
The suspension of POGO operations has drawn attention to the broader issue of illegal offshore gaming in the Philippines. Many foreign workers employed in the industry are found to have violated immigration laws, leading to large-scale arrests and detentions.
While the crackdown aims to regulate and clean up the sector, the government now faces mounting logistical challenges. As authorities seek solutions to the overcrowding crisis, the fate of the remaining detainees hangs in the balance.
The Philippine government remains under pressure to act swiftly and efficiently, ensuring that detained foreign workers are treated humanely while maintaining immigration laws and national security.
