The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has officially banned deportation flights with layovers for foreign fugitives involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO)-related crimes to prevent them from escaping during transit.
The BI Board of Commissioners issued Resolution No. 2025-002, dated March 21, 2025, stating that deported foreign nationals with links to POGOs can only be placed on direct flights to their home countries, except in cases where no direct route exists from the Philippines.
The move came after Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian pushed for stricter measures to prevent high-profile criminals from manipulating deportation protocols.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that this policy closes a critical loophole that POGO deportees have exploited, as he expressed his gratitude to the senators and other lawmakers who supported the initiative.
“This is unchartered territory since we started mass deportations and arrests this year in compliance with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos’ declaration of a POGO ban,” said Viado.
“The discussions during Senate hearings allowed us to hear other perspectives that we have included in our discussions. This is a firm step in strengthening our deportation procedures. Removing direct flights for POGO-related foreign nationals would lower opportunities for them to expand their operations in other countries in the Asian region,” he added.
The BI, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ), has begun working with airlines and foreign embassies to ensure smooth enforcement of the new directive. Viado also urged lawmakers to explore further legislative support to institutionalize the policy.
The bureau is also studying additional security enhancements for deportation procedures, including tighter coordination with law enforcement agencies abroad.
“This is just the beginning. We will continue reviewing and strengthening our deportation processes to prevent criminals from finding ways back into the country or evading justice,” Viado added.