OWING to reports of escape being made during layovers of flights for POGO deportees, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has officially banned deportation flights with layovers for foreign fugitives involved in POGO-related crimes.
It was learned that under BI Board of Commissioners Resolution No. 2025-002, dated March 21, 2025, deported foreign nationals with links to POGOs can only be placed on direct flights to their home countries, except in cases where no direct route exists from the Philippines.
The BI is also said to be studying additional security enhancements for deportation procedures, including tighter coordination with law enforcement agencies abroad.
The move to ban deportation flights with layovers came after Senators pushed for stricter measures to prevent high-profile criminals from manipulating deportation protocols and following reports of escape during stopovers.
According to the BI, it has begun working with airlines and foreign embassies to ensure smooth enforcement of the new directive, in coordination with the Department of Justice (DOJ).
