As part of the government's ongoing crackdown on illicit offshore gaming operations, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported during a virtual press conference on Wednesday afternoon, 26 February, that a total of 98 Chinese nationals had been successfully deported after being caught participating in and working for an illegal POGO company.

The Bureau stated that this action follows President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to halt POGO operations in the country as part of broader measures to safeguard national security and curb transnational crimes associated with these organizations.

The BI further reported that the deported Chinese nationals were flown out on the evening of 25 February via a Philippine Airlines chartered flight from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 to Xi'an, China.

Of the 98 deported individuals, 91 were among the 450 arrested on 8 January in a commercial building in Parañaque City, while the remaining seven were detainees from the BI Warden Facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado stated that the Chinese Embassy organized the chartered flight as part of joint efforts to swiftly remove foreign nationals involved in unlawful POGO activities.

Since January, the BI has arrested more than 500 foreign nationals in various operations across Parañaque, Cavite, and Pasay City. A total of 226 have already been deported.

Atty. Viado reassured the public that the Bureau remains committed to expediting deportation procedures.

"To guarantee the fastest deportation possible, we are working tirelessly with our partner agencies. This makes it abundantly evident that the Philippines will not serve as a haven for illicit activity," the BI chief stated.

Additionally, 10 Vietnamese nationals were also deported on the same day from NAIA Terminal 1.

Atty. Viado emphasized the BI's commitment to swiftly removing illegal foreign workers, stating, "We will continue to look for ways to expedite the process. The sooner they depart, the better for all."