MANILA - Two branches of an offshore gaming service provider were shut on Thursday for failure to register as a value added tax (VAT) payer, the Bureau of Internal Revenue said.

Altech Innovations Business Outsourcing's head office in Aseana City in Parañaque and its branch in Pasay City were closed Thursday for tax code violations, the BIR said in a statement.

The government is moving to enforce the law on POGOs or Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations after China complained that some of its nationals who work for such firms were victims of crime and abuse.

The company that operates the shuttered POGOs is a single proprietorship owned by Jan Erick Lavariaz Altavas, the statement said.

BIR padlocks 2 offices of a POGO service provider in Parañaque and Pasay cities over failure to register as VAT taxpayer. pic.twitter.com/HbVcDyUlTS

— Michael Joe Delizo (@michael_delizo) October 17, 2019

The BIR's Task Force POGO led the shutdown, assisted by Finance Assistant Secretary Tony Lambino.

“Dapat pantay pantay, Filipino or foreigner, they should be paying their taxes here in the Philippines kasi we need these revenues for nation building, especially sa Build, Build, Build project of the administration,” BIR deputy commissioner for Operations Arnel Guballa told reporters.

(It should be fair for everyone, Filipino or foreigner, they should be paying their taxes here in the Philippines because we need these revenues for nation building, especially the Build, Build, Build project of the administration."

Lambino said the closure was "fair implementation" of Philippine laws.

• BIR shuts down 7 'POGO restos' due to tax violation

Seven restaurants catering to Chinese offshore gaming employees were also closed by the BIR this month for tax violations.

POGO service provider Great Empire Gaming and Amusement Corp (GEGAC) was also shut in September "for lack of registration for VAT purposes," the BIR said. It has since resumed operations after partial payment of its tax liabilities.

• Closure order of POGO operator for tax violation lifted: BIR

-- with a report from Michael Joe Delizo, ABS-CBN News