Chinese still working in POGOs despite controversies

March 8, 2020

A sizeable number of Chinese are still working in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) despite an ongoing controversy.

According to the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), the applicants for Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) related to POGOs remain high. 

"From January to mid-February, some 15,000 AEPs are POGO-related workers," said BLE Director Dominique Tutay in an interview. 

Majority of the 15,000, she added, are renewal of AEPs, and nearly all are Chinese nationals. 

She noted that the number is 75 percent of the total number of AEPs they have issued for the period. 

"From January to mid-February this year, we have issued about 20,000 AEPs ," said Tutay. 

This comes as calls for the government to temporarily suspend all POGO operations mount due to alleged billions of uncollected taxes, and the rise in crimes being reportedly linked to the POGO industry. 

"Unless the policy environment in the country will say that it is illegal, then we can still accommodate POGO workers," said Tutay. DMS