The Department of Justice (DOJ) has deported the second batch of 21 Chinese nationals working in illegal gaming outlets.
In a statement, the DOJ said the Bureau of Immigration conducted another deportation operation involving a group of 21 Chinese nationals who left the country aboard a Philippine Air Lines flight to Wuhan, China.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the group comprised 21 Chinese nationals who left the country on board a Philippine Air Lines flight to Wuhan, China.
“We will ensure that those involved in illegal activities will be deported and blacklisted. This is to create a safe space for foreign nationals who comply with immigration policies are here in the country legally,” Tansingco said.
Tansingco said another batch of Chinese illegal POGO workers will also be deported soon.
“We are in close coordination with the Chinese Embassy for the expeditious release of the deportees’ travel documents,’ he added.
An initial batch of six Chinese nationals was deported last October 19.
Last month, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the BI had already canceled the visas of 1, 424 Chinese nationals working in illegal POGO outlets.
Remulla said the BI is set to cancel the visa of 48, 782 Chinese nationals working in illegal online gaming outlets.
Those who refused to voluntarily leave the country after 59 days will be “summarily deported.”
But the DOJ chief said they are also looking at extending amnesty to illegal POGO workers and other undocumented aliens.
This as the DOJ acknowledged that there are Chinese POGO workers who have reached out to the authorities asking if they will be allowed to stay in the country if they transfer to legal POGO operators.
As of Sept. 14, the DOJ said data from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation showed there are 175 POGOs with canceled permits, meaning if some of them are still operating then they are doing it illegally.
The controversy generated by the presence of Chinese nationals working in illegal POGOs hogged the limelight last month after Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was told by Chinese Ambassador to Manila Huang Xilian that Beijing has placed the Philippines in its “tourist blacklist” due to the continued operations of POGOs.
The Chinese Embassy however labeled the report as “misinformation.”