Over 3,000 POGO workers have sought police clearance so far —Azurin

A total of 3,198 workers for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have applied for police clearance so far, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. said Monday.

In a press conference, Azurin said the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) is the unit processing the national police clearance for the POGO workers.

“As of September 27 and 28, an additional 297 POGO workers availed the national police clearance processed by DIDM team, making a total of 3,198 police clearances issued to POGO workers as of October 3,” he said.

Azurin added that the documentation process of POGO workers organized by the PNP and local government units is also underway.

The documentation process aims to establish a recording and monitoring system that will keep track of activities of POGO workers and ensure their compliance with government requirements.

Azurin said a number of POGO workers illegally staying in the Philippines are now in the custody of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) as they wait for deportation and repatriation procedures.

Some employees and maintainers of POGOs are also under investigation and initial stage of prosecution for violating Philippine laws, according to Azurin.

The BI earlier said 372 foreign nationals arrested in separate operations in September are set to be deported.

On Sunday, the BI said it is set to cancel 48,782 alien visas of Chinese nationals employed by POGOs with canceled licenses.

The Philippine government took these actions after the recent kidnapping cases involving Chinese POGO workers. —KBK, GMA News