BI deports 57 aliens

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) disclosed on Thursday that it has deported 57 foreign nationals this week, including 46 Chinese citizens, as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal aliens.

According to the BI, the deportees — who also included seven Myanmar nationals, three Vietnamese nationals and one Malaysian national — were sent back to their countries via several flights from Ninoy Aquino International Airport between 31 January and 5 February.

They were among 450 foreign nationals arrested in January for violating Philippine laws, particularly those involved in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGO) activities, the bureau said.

“We will not allow foreign nationals to abuse our immigration system,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said. “Those who break our laws and insist on continuing illegal POGO activities in the Philippines will be arrested and swiftly deported.”

Viado reiterated the agency’s zero-tolerance policy against foreigners who commit crimes, saying the bureau is determined to rid the country of “these unwanted foreigners” under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s leadership and with the support of the Department of Justice.

The crackdown targets foreign nationals involved in illicit POGOs, which have been linked to cyber fraud, human trafficking and other crimes.

Viado stressed that those who abuse the country’s hospitality to conduct illegal activities will face consequences.