According to an official announcement from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI), authorities in the Philippines executed a significant operation on Friday, November 6, by deporting 115 Chinese nationals suspected of being involved in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operations (POGO) and fraudulent networks. These individuals were arranged to board a charter flight on China Southern Airlines (flight CZ5308) from Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to be returned to China.
The BI confirmed in its statement that the deported individuals had all been issued Summary Deportation Orders by the Immigration Commissioner. They were apprehended during two major crackdowns on illegal POGO and fraud networks that took place in October of this year.
The first operation occurred in Zamboanga Sibugay province on October 2, when a total of 62 Chinese nationals were arrested. This operation was characterized by the Bureau of Immigration as one of the largest POGO raids in the Philippines this year, resulting in the arrest of over 200 gaming workers. According to reports from ASTIG.PH at the time, the total number of foreign nationals detained during this crackdown reached 244.
The second operation took place in Cubao, Quezon City on October 12, leading to the arrest of 53 Chinese nationals. The BI indicated that this raid resulted in the arrest of 74 Chinese individuals and two Burmese nationals. Notably, the charter flight on Friday only facilitated the return of a portion of those apprehended in these two operations.
In addition to the raids in the aforementioned locations, reports from ASTIG.PH highlighted that on November 2, immigration authorities also apprehended the second-in-command of the Japanese crime syndicate known as “JP Dragon” in Cabanatuan City. This group is suspected of conducting fraudulent activities in Japan involving approximately 900 million yen.
The Philippine Canadian Inquirer reported that, in addition to deporting the individuals involved in these illegal operations, authorities are intensifying investigations to track down the financiers, recruiters, and local accomplices behind these fraudulent networks, aiming to prevent foreign nationals from using the Philippines as a base for illegal activities.
Joel Anthony Viado, the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration, emphasized in a statement that this deportation action represents the government’s firm commitment to holding foreign nationals accountable for engaging in illegal activities within the Philippines. The BI will continue to enhance its enforcement actions and work closely with local and international law enforcement partners to combat illegal POGO operations, online scams, and other transnational crimes.
Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has imposed a total ban on all POGO operations in the country as of 2024. This decision stems from the industry’s frequent connections to serious criminal activities, including financial fraud, money laundering, prostitution, human trafficking, kidnapping, torture, and even murder.