Amid allegations of corruption and misconduct raised by some concerned Bureau of Immigration (BI) employees against the agency’s leadership, Senator Win Gatchalian called for stricter enforcement of the country’s anti-POGO policy, particularly in the handling of POGO deportations.

“The improper implementation of the country’s anti-POGO policy concerning the detention and deportation of foreign nationals involved in POGOs may create loopholes in our anti-POGO framework and allow nefarious POGO actors to continue their operations,” said Gatchalian, who filed Senate Resolution 1381.

Gatchalian, who led the advocacy to remove POGO operations from the country, emphasized that the improper deportation of POGO-related foreign nationals may allow them to escape liability.

Earlier this month, unnamed BI employees sent a letter to the President, accusing the agency’s top official of overstepping authority by expediting bail for foreign nationals tied to POGOs, including influential POGO figures. The employees also claimed that a new scheme has emerged involving the auctioning of permanent quota visas to the highest bidder.

“Kailangan nating ituwid ang katiwalian sa ahensyang inaasahang nagpapatupad ng batas at punan ang pagkukulang sa ating mga regulasyon,” Gatchalian concluded.