The number of Chinese who used to work in POGO hubs in the Philippines is still estimated at 9,000 to 10,000, according to PAOCC. According to Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, operations were temporarily suspended due to the large number of foreigners and lack of passports of some of those caught.
According to Rep. Robert Ace Barbers of the House Quad Committee, the agencies should take action immediately. He said, "they are now scattered." He also warned that there may be criminals or spies among them, making it a threat to the security of the country.
The DOLE reported that the employment permits of nearly 15,000 POGO workers have been revoked after President Marcos Jr. banned the operation of POGOs last year.
Bi Rep. Vicente Uncad added that the Chinese were only given a tourist visa, which is usually valid for six months. But because there is no centralized database, it is difficult to track their movements in the country.
It was learned that many agencies still have the power to issue visas such as DFA, PRA, DTI, and special economic zones. So for now, the challenge for the government remains how to fix the system of monitoring these foreigners.
