The government is currently processing the deportation of over 180 Chinese workers who were arrested in Pasay during the raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator center in Pasay City in October due to improper immigration documentation, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission said on Thursday.

In an interview with reporters, PAOCC Undersecretary Gilbert Cruz said the 180 Chinese workers – the largest batch of deportees to date – failed to present their employment permits.

"They're already blacklisted, right? They can't come back here anymore. And in China, of course, they will also be charged there. The Chinese embassy is cooperating with us on the cases that will be filed," Cruz said.

Several police officers escorted the Chinese workers to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 where their flight was scheduled to depart.

Cruz explained that this was due to other instances in which the people they were trying to deport came up with plans to keep them from being deported.

"Actually, last time, there was an incident inside the airport. Two of our passengers pretended to faint to avoid being deported," Cruz said.

"One of them succeeded because the airline agency advised against letting them in, saying they might be unwell. But when we took them to where they were staying, they could walk just fine. In short, they were just acting," the PAOCC official added.

Millions of pesos spent for deportation

Cruz also mentioned that the government is spending millions of pesos on the deportation and care of the Chinese workers who were caught two months ago.

However, he was unable to provide an approximate cost estimate because the deportation procedure was still in progress.

"We can't neglect their rights as human beings. So, it would help if you fed them, give what should be given to them," Cruz said.

"If they're sick, we send them to the hospital. Even in cases like deporting them, we're the ones who spend," he added.

As other victims came forward to tell their stories, the PAOCC official stated that they were looking to submit more complaints.