32 foreigners nabbed in Parañaque POGO raid

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) nabbed 32 foreign nationals working for a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Parañaque City.

Among those arrested are 20 Chinese, 11 Malaysians, and 1 Cambodian, according to a statement released on Saturday. 

The 32 foreigners will remain under the custody of the NBI while deportation processes are being conducted.

“Let this be a warning to foreign nationals who blatantly continue illegal operations despite the ban of the President,” said BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado.

“We will not stop until all illegal aliens are arrested and deported,” he added.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla encouraged local governments to strengthen their inspections to ensure the eradication of remaining POGOs in the country.

He also issued a memo on January 2 to order LGUs to conduct regular inspections of their business establishments to ensure POGOs will cease to operate in the Philippines.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. declared he will be implementing a nationwide ban during his 2024 State of the Nation Address. The ban took effect on December 31, 2024.

—Jiselle Anne Casucian/ VAL, GMA Integrated News