While a lot of Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) have closed down as a result of the nationwide ban on them, there still over nine thousand illegal aliens – who used to be POGO employees – on the loose nationwide, according to a Manila Bulletin news report. It was also revealed that some of the illegal aliens are carrying infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV.
To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…
At least 9,000 undocumented foreign nationals who previously worked for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs)–including those with infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis–remain on the loose.
This was according to Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz, who reported during the House quad-committee (quad-comm) hearing on Monday, June 9, that the agency was facing detention and deportation challenges regarding individuals linked to POGOs.
Cruz said that about 600 foreign nationals were already crammed within the PAOCC detention in Pasay City. What’s worse is that they cannot be deported because they have lost their passports.
“[We have] a monthly expenditure of millions for food and healthcare. Medical needs are [also] rising with detainees diagnosed with illness such as tuberculosis, hepatitis B, respiratory infection, and even cases of HIV,” he said.
“Actually sir dito po kami nanlulumo, three weeks ago nagpa-cremate po tayo ng isang HIV [patient] (Actually, we were saddened by the fact that we had to cremate three weeks ago an HIV patient),” he added.
The agency official said PAOCC’s detention facility was already overcrowded, as such “enforcement actions against an estimated 9,000 illegal foreign workers have been temporarily suspended”.
PAOCC said those on the loose pose risk to the society.
“‘Yung mga POGO workers, noong pumunta dito hindi naman healthy lahat yan. ‘Yung iba dyan may sakit na (Those POGO workers, when they went here, they weren’t really healthy. Some of them were already sick), that’s why we have cases of tuberculosis, HIV,” Cruz told lawmakers.
“Kapag pakalat kalat ‘yan sir, hindi natin alam kung sino pa ang kinontak o nagkaroon pa ng physical contact ‘yan (If they’re on the loose, we don’t know with whom they are having physical contact with),” he added.
Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jay-jay” Suarez also raised concern about illegal aliens who remain at large. He said they have become engaged in criminal activities, such as kidnapping and torture.
Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think there could be former POGO employees among the foreigners living in your local community? Are you concerned that the sick illegal aliens on the loose could be spreading disease all over the Philippines?
You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.
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