00:00The deadline for foreign POG workers to leave the country voluntarily lapsed two weeks ago.
00:05Tens of thousands have paid heed and left, while thousands have opted to stay and go under the radar.
00:11PTV's Ryan Leziguez fills us in with the rest.
00:16The Department of the Interior and local government assured all local chief executives
00:21who dare arbor and allow POG operations in their areas will be held accountable.
00:25According to DILG Secretary Junvik Rimulya, they have started monitoring areas
00:29particularly subdivisions with reports of guerrilla operations by shuttered
00:34POG establishments in the country. In fact, just last week,
00:37hundreds of suspected POG workers were arrested in Barangay Tambo, Paranaque City.
00:41These workers were not only operating illegally but were also engaged in scamming activities.
00:46Authorities raided the area after the Bureau of Immigrations Intelligence Unit
00:50received information about scamming operations targeting victims from other countries.
01:00Following this, Rimulya ordered all local chief executives to closely monitor
01:28and scrutinize their areas to prevent illegal POG operations.
01:48The DILG warned any LGU official found allowing their area
01:52to become a haven for POG operations will be held liable.
01:59The Bureau of Immigration had earlier warned that even companies may face charges
02:16and be held accountable if proven to aid and abet foreigners in staying in the country.
02:21Currently, around 11,000 illegal aliens who were former POG workers in the country
02:26are being sought. Before the end of 2024, the DILG announced there will be no more
02:30POG operations in the country from here on, in line with the ultimatum given
02:35by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.
