BI deports 98 Chinese in POGO crackdown

In a significant action against illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Monday that it deported an additional 84 Chinese nationals as part of the Marcos administration's stepped-up efforts to shut down foreign-run criminal operations in the nation.

The Chinese deportees were boarded on a Philippine Airlines flight bound for Beijing, China, on Thursday morning (11 April) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.

The Bureau claimed that the deportation was executed in close coordination with the Chinese Embassy in Manila, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

"This operation reflects our strong resolve to implement President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to shut down illegal POGOs and remove foreign nationals who violate our immigration laws. The smooth coordination throughout the process is greatly appreciated by the Chinese Embassy and the PAOCC," BI Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado stated.

He added that the 84 Chinese individuals had been turned over to the BI following their arrest in a series of enforcement actions when it was discovered that they were either undocumented or overstaying.

The deportees were part of previous arrests by government operatives in Tarlac, Cebu, and Parañaque.

The BI chief disclosed that this is a clear warning to all illegal foreign operators—they are keeping an eye on them, and they will take decisive action. To preserve the integrity of the country’s borders, the Bureau will continue collaborating with other law enforcement agencies.

By stepping up its efforts to combat illicit foreign activities associated with organized crime, the BI reassured the public that it remains committed to helping the administration restore order and enforce the law.