Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Sunday vowed compliance with President Ferdinand Marcos’ timeline for the total ban of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) by the end of the year.
The DOJ shall fully comply with the president’s directive without compromising human rights, existing laws and international comity as most of these POGOs are operated by foreign nationals, Remulla said.
“How we will choreograph everything so that everything falls properly into place, until December 31 is the most critical thing without violating people’s rights,” said the DOJ Secretary in a statement.
Remulla made this assurance along with the deferment of the 60-day deadline set by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on foreigners working in POGO hubs to voluntarily leave the country. Earlier, he said the BI “cannot act independently” on its deadline.
Meanwhile, Remulla also recognized the possibility that some dishonest immigration personnel may take advantage of the POGO exodus for their personal gain.
He encouraged the BI to work hand-in-hand with the DOJ to wrap up the POGO problem in the country while avoiding corruption in the process.
President Marcos’ made the major pronouncement for the total POGO ban during his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22.
