The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported 26 more illegal aliens involved in illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to eradicate illegal offshore gaming operations in the country.
The deportees were part of the 450 foreign nationals apprehended in January for violating Philippine immigration laws, particularly those linked to illegal POGO-related scams.
The 26 deportees were made up of 23 Chinese nationals and 3 Malaysians, who boarded Philippine Airlines and Malaysian Airlines flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated the government’s commitment to cracking down on illegal POGO operations. “This is just the beginning. We are resolute in enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that those who exploit our country for illicit activities are removed,” he said.
Viado emphasized that more arrests and deportations would follow. “Foreign nationals who engage in unauthorized and illegal operations should take this as a warning—we will find you, arrest you, and send you back to your country,” he added.
The BI continues to work closely with other government agencies to identify and remove foreign nationals involved in illegal activities.