MANILA, Philippines— A total of 11,254 foreign nationals involved in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities will be deported following the December 31 shutdown, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said that among the 33,863 POGO employees registered under the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), 24,779 opted to downgrade their visas. 

Of the total number, 22,609 left the country before the December 31 deadline, the bureau said.

“We are deporting those who did not downgrade and leave the country before the deadline, as well as those who downgraded but still failed to leave,” Viado said in a statement.

The BI chief also noted that companies employing POGO workers are required to surrender employees who remain in the country. 

He also warned that firms attempting to conceal these individuals could face legal action for harboring illegal aliens.

“I have ordered our intelligence division to initiate the search for those at large,” Viado said. 

“They are considered illegal aliens now. Expect an intensified manhunt against these illegal aliens. The order of the President is clear. No more POGO in the Philippines,” he said.

Foreign nationals who continue to disobey the directive will be arrested, deported, and blacklisted, he said.

During his State of the Nation Address last July, Marcos announced the prohibition of POGOs, citing their links to serious crimes and revealing the involvement of other government officials, including dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo and former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

Marcos recently signed Executive Order 74, which imposed restrictions on POGOs, internet gaming licenses, and other offshore gaming operations in the country.