“By mandating direct repatriation, the BI is closing a key escape route that criminals have long exploited”
The Bureau of Immigration has taken a decisive step in tightening deportation procedures for foreign fugitives involved in POGO-related crimes.
Under BI Board of Commissioners Resolution 2025-002, these deportees must now be placed on direct flights to their home countries, eliminating a loophole that previously allowed criminals to escape while in transit.
This move, initiated by BI Commissioner Joel Viado, was prompted by concerns raised during a Senate investigation led by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Sherwin Gatchalian.
Both lawmakers have been at the forefront of exposing how POGO-linked syndicates manipulate immigration processes to protect their members from justice.
By mandating direct repatriation, the BI is closing a key escape route that criminals have long exploited.
When senators pointed out the weaknesses in the existing deportation system, instead of stonewalling or reacting defensively, Viado took their concerns seriously.
He did not pretend to know everything, nor did he dismiss the recommendations as unnecessary.
Instead, he went back to the drawing board, consulted his team, evaluated the flaws in the current system, and ultimately decided to follow the sound advice given by lawmakers.
This kind of responsive and solutions-oriented leadership is rare in government, where officials often resist admitting weaknesses in their policies.
Viado’s approach shows that he values accountability and practical governance over pride or bureaucratic inertia.
The problem with POGO-related criminality goes beyond just a few bad actors. It is a systemic issue that has flourished due to weak enforcement and corruption.
A common trick used by these criminals is arranging flights with layovers in transit-friendly countries, where they can either escape custody, claim asylum, or use legal technicalities to remain beyond the reach of Philippine authorities.
The new BI resolution effectively removes this loophole, ensuring that deported individuals go straight to their home countries without any opportunity to slip away.
By eliminating layovers, the government sends a clear message that the Philippines is no longer a convenient playground for foreign criminals hiding behind the offshore gaming industry.
Despite the strong intent behind the policy, implementation remains a challenge.
The BI has stated that it is working closely with the Department of Justice, airlines, and foreign embassies to ensure smooth enforcement, but logistical hurdles remain.
Not all countries have direct flights from the Philippines, which means exceptions will have to be made in certain cases. These exceptions, however, must be tightly controlled to prevent potential abuse of the system.
To ensure the success of this policy, the BI must increase transparency in its deportation process, implement real-time monitoring of deportees, and hold accountable any officials found to be complicit in helping fugitives escape justice.
Commissioner Viado has also urged lawmakers to consider further legislative support to institutionalize these changes. This is a critical next step. A mere BI resolution, while commendable, can be reversed or weakened in the future.
A comprehensive law addressing deportation procedures, including mandatory real-time tracking of deportees in transit, tighter coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies, and harsher penalties for officials who facilitate escapes, should be passed to make this policy permanent.
President Marcos Jr. banned POGOs last year, recognizing their overwhelming links to human trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and violent crime. This was a crucial decision that has disrupted many criminal syndicates, but the remnants of these groups continue to operate underground or attempt to exploit legal loopholes to evade prosecution.
Sen. Gatchalian has repeatedly stressed that while the official ban is in place, enforcement remains key.
The government must remain vigilant in dismantling illegal offshore gambling operations that have simply gone deeper into the shadows.
The deportation of criminals is necessary, but authorities must also track and neutralize the networks that enabled these criminals to enter and operate in the first place.
The challenge now is ensuring that POGO-linked crime does not simply evolve into new forms, using cyber fraud, human trafficking rings, and financial scams as alternative revenue streams.
The Philippines must stop being a haven for foreign criminals. Our country has been far too lenient for far too long.
The ban on layover deportations is a step in the right direction, but the journey toward true reform and national security must not stop here.
The government has sent a message with this policy—now it must follow through with decisive action. (Email: ernhil@yahoo.com)