Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez on Sunday asked the Bureau of Immigration to deport 44 Chinese nationals who were arrested during a raid of an illegal gambling joint in his city.
He made the request after the Chinese were caught using Filipino dummies to operate the illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators or POGO when the government imposed the Enhanced Community Quarantine following the COVID-19 outbreak.
Authorities raided the rented apartment being used for the illegal operation along Mayuga Street in Tambo village, a few meters away from Entertainment City, last Friday.
Nine Filipinos were arrested along with the 44 Chinese, and they have been accused of being used as dummies of the gambling operator and serving as lookouts.
Police also seized five unlicensed firearms and ammunition, P1.3 million in cash, 255 Chinese yuan, and 73 Chinese passports.
The authorities also seized internet modems, 400 mobile phones, 17 computer desktops, and 36 laptops.
Chinese face prosecution
The 44 Chinese arrested for allegedly operating an illegal POGO will not be immediately deported if a criminal case has been filed against them.
“Deportation proceedings may be initiated if they violated our immigration laws. However, if a criminal case has been filed against them for violation of Philippine laws, they cannot as yet be deported,” Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete said in a text message to reporters.
“The criminal proceedings against them must first be concluded and, if they are found guilty, they must first serve their sentences.”
POGO operations were among the first businesses ordered closed during the extended coronavirus quarantine.
