POGO lives on: 244 ‘mostly Chinese’ nabbed

Authorities arrested 244 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, during simultaneous operations against suspected illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities in Zamboanga Sibugay, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Saturday.

The operations were conducted on 2 October in Barangay Kimos, Siay, and Barangay Tandiong Muslim, Alicia, based on separate BI mission orders. The raids were supported by the National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines.

In Siay, authorities arrested 113 foreigners — 110 Chinese, two Cambodians and one Hong Kong national. Another 131 foreigners were arrested in Alicia, mostly Chinese, along with nationals of Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar. Their identities and nationalities remain subject to verification.

Authorities recovered large quantities of electronic equipment, including about 2,000 to 3,000 mobile phones, computers, laptops and SIM cards. The BI said 78 computer monitors were also recovered from the Casa de Coco Pension House compound.

The volume of equipment is being examined for possible links to illegal online operations and scams.

The Philippine Army said the operation stemmed from intelligence gathering and interagency coordination over suspected illegal activities involving foreign nationals in the two municipalities. Joint Task Force ZAMPELAN, through Joint Task Group IGSOON under the 102nd Infantry Brigade, provided security support during the operation.

Multiple violations

The arrested foreigners are being investigated for possible immigration violations, including working without the required visa, being undocumented, illegal entry and alleged involvement in illegal POGO-related online activities.

The BI said it is also coordinating with other law enforcement agencies over possible human trafficking, exploitation, coercion, unlawful recruitment and restriction of movement.

The government banned POGO operations in 2024 through Executive Order 74. Republic Act 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, later prohibited offshore gaming operations and the establishment or operation of POGO sites in the Philippines.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency would continue enforcing immigration laws against foreign nationals involved in illegal activities.

The arrested foreigners will undergo deportation proceedings for any established immigration violations. Those issued deportation orders will be blacklisted and barred from reentering the Philippines.