By Ferdinand Patinio
MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported 98 Chinese nationals caught working in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) companies.
In a statement Wednesday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the deportees boarded a Philippine Airlines chartered flight to Xi’an, China on Tuesday night.
Viado said the chartered flight was arranged by the Chinese Embassy as part of coordinated efforts to expedite the removal of foreign nationals involved in illegal POGO activities.
Of the total, 91 were part of the 450 individuals arrested in a commercial building in Parañaque City on Jan. 8, while seven were from the BI’s detention facility in Bicutan, Taguig.
Since January, the BI has apprehended more than 500 foreign nationals in separate operations in Parañaque, Cavite, and Pasay City, 226 of whom have been deported.
“We are working relentlessly with our partner agencies to ensure the swiftest deportation possible. This is a clear message that the Philippines will not be a safe haven for illegal activities,” he said.
The deportation effort is in line with the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal offshore gaming operations.
This follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to put an end to POGO operations in the country as part of broader efforts to protect national security and curb transnational crimes linked to these establishments.
On the other hand, the BI reported that 10 Vietnamese nationals, also POGO workers, were likewise deported on the same day via NAIA Terminal 1. (PNA)
