Opisyal nang ipinagbawal ng Bureau of Immigration (BI) ang mga deportation flight na may layover para sa mga banyagang naaresto sa bansa dahil sa pagkakasangkot sa illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO).
Sa ilalim ng Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 2025-002 na may petsang Marso 21, 2025, ipinag-utos ni Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado ang paglalagay ng mga foreign nationals na sangkot sa POGO sa direct flights patungo sa kani-kanilang bansa, maliban lang kung walang direktang ruta mula sa Pilipinas.
Ito ay matapos sabunin nina Senators Risa Hontiveros at Sherwin Gatchalian ang BI nang matakasan ng ilang mga foreign national sa layover flights matapos silang isakay sa eroplano patungo ng kani-kanilang bansa nitong mga nakaraang linggo.
“This is unchartered territory since we started mass deportations and arrests this year in compliance with President Ferdinand ‘Bong Bong’ Marcos’ declaration of a POGO ban,” sabi ni Viado.
“The discussions during senate hearings allowed us to hear other perspective 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 of them expanding their operations in other countries in the Asian region,” giit ni Viado.
“I extend my deepest appreciation to Senators Gatchalian, Hontiveros, at sa lahat ng mambabatas na tumulong sa pagsulong ng repormang ito. Their commitment to closing loopholes in our deportation process has been instrumental in ensuring that foreign syndicates cannot exploit our system. We stand with them in making our immigration policies stronger and more secure,” hirit ni Viado.