DOJ warns POGO workers  to leave

CEBU, Philippines — Department of Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla issued a stern warning yesterday against illegal POGO workers who continue to stay in the Philippines despite the ultimatum given by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for them to leave the country by the end of 2024.

“The president is unequivocally clear that POGOs 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,” said Remulla in a statement.

According to DOJ, based on the report given by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), there are roughly 11,000 foreign POGO workers who are set to be deported for failing to leave the country last year.

This number, DOJ said, comprises POGO aliens who failed to downgrade their visas or voluntarily leave the Philippines and those who downgraded their visas but failed to leave the country within the prescribed period given by authorities.

“At present, the BI is conducting an extensive manhunt operations against the remaining POGO foreign workers in the country considered as illegal aliens,” DOJ said.

Remulla added that the Marcos administration stands firm in its resolve to intensifying its guerilla operations against non-compliant POGOs. — (FREEMAN)