Bureau of Immigration deports 115 Chinese involved in POGO operations

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration has deported 115 Chinese nationals involved in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) in the country, the BI announced yesterday.

According to the BI, two anti-illegal POGO operations led to the arrest of 62 people in Zamboanga Sibugay and 53 in Cubao, Quezon City last month.

The deportees were flown to China on a chartered China Southern Airlines flight, following the issuance of summary deportation orders by the BI Board of Commissioners.

Law enforcement officials have said that following the total ban on POGOs, Filipinos who used to work for the gaming firms have taken over but are carrying out much smaller operations. But foreigners continue to operate in the country.