NBI deports 101 foreigners, files raps vs 9 amid POGO raids

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced Monday that 101 foreign nationals will be deported and nine individuals face criminal charges following coordinated law enforcement raids against two offshore gaming hubs in Zamboanga Sibugay province.

NBI director Melvin Matibag said during a news conference that federal agents rounded up 259 individuals, including two minors, during the 2 October raids on Philippine offshore gaming operator facilities in the municipalities of Siay and Alicia.

“Out of the 259, 101 is for deportation already,” Matibag said, citing that formal charges involving financial crimes and cybercrime violations have been filed against nine primary suspects.

According to federal investigators, 106 foreign detainees elected to sign voluntary deportation waivers to forego criminal prosecution in exchange for immediate removal from the country.