Immigration deports 26 foreign POGO workers

In line with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s directive to shut down illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported another batch of foreign nationals involved in clandestine POGO activities.

The deportees were among the 450 foreign nationals apprehended in January for violating Philippine immigration laws, particularly those linked to POGO-related scams.

On Friday evening, a total of 26 individuals — 23 Chinese and three Malaysians — were deported via Philippine Airlines and Malaysia Airlines flights.

BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eliminating illicit POGO operations.

“This is just the beginning. We are determined to enforce immigration laws and ensure that those using our country for illegal purposes are removed,” he said.

Viado emphasized that more arrests and deportations will follow.

“This serves as a warning to foreign nationals engaging in unlawful activities — we will track you down, apprehend you, and send you back to your home country,” he warned.

The BI said it continues to coordinate with other government agencies to identify and detain individuals involved in illegal operations.

“This is a whole-of-government effort. We are committed to eradicating illegal POGOs and upholding the rule of law,” Viado added.

The Marcos administration has taken a firm stance against POGOs due to their association with various criminal activities, including human trafficking, fraud, money laundering, and violent crimes.

The crackdown followed mounting concerns from law enforcement agencies and foreign governments over illegal POGO hubs operating across the country.

Many of the operators had been linked to organized crime syndicates, prompting calls for stricter regulation and eventual prohibition.

President Ferdinand MarcosJr. ordered a phased shutdown of illegal POGOs, citing national security risks and their detrimental effects on public safety.

The Department of Justice, National Bureau of Investigation, and the Philippine National Police have since intensified their operations, raiding illegal POGO hubs and rescuing victims of human trafficking.