Over 100 Chinese deported over alleged POGO links -- BI

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The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has deported 115 Chinese nationals arrested during two anti-illegal POGO operations in October.

In a press release issued Friday, the agency said the deportees were among the individuals arrested in separate operations in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 2, and Quezon City on October 12.

"The deportees, consisting of 62 individuals arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay and 53 in Cubao, are being flown to China aboard a chartered China Southern Airlines flight CZ5308 at NAIA Terminal 3, following the issuance of Summary Deportation Orders by the BI Board of Commissioners," the BI said.

In October, the BI described its operation against illegal Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs) in Zamboanga Sibugay as the country's largest crackdown this year, resulting in the arrest of more than 200 POGO workers, most of whom were Chinese.

Meanwhile, 76 foreigners were arrested in a raid in Cubao, which consisted of 74 Chinese and two Burmese.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. banned all POGOs in the country in 2024, citing their tendency to venture into criminal activities such as financial scams, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and murder.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the ongoing deportation initiative demonstrates the agency's commitment to ensuring that foreigners engaging in illegal activities are held accountable.

"The Bureau will continue strengthening its enforcement operations and coordination with local and international law enforcement partners to combat illegal POGO operations, online scams, and other transnational crimes," the statement read. — VDV, GMA News