26 foreigners involved in illegal POGO activities deported — BI

A total of 26 foreigners working for illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were deported on Friday, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

In a press release on Saturday, the BI said the deportees were part of the 450 foreign nationals apprehended in January for violating Philippine immigration laws, particularly those linked to illegal POGO-related scams.

Of the 26 deportees, 23 were Chinese nationals and 3 were Malaysians.

“This is just the beginning. We are resolute in enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that those who exploit our country for illicit activities are removed,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.

“Foreign nationals who engage in unauthorized and illegal operations should take this as a warning—we will find you, arrest you, and send you back to your country,” he added.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. in July last year banned all POGOs after several such businesses were implicated in crimes, including human trafficking, serious illegal detention, and money scams.

In November 2024, Marcos issued Executive Order 74, which states that the ban on POGOs and internet gaming licenses shall encompass illegal offshore gaming operations, license applications, license renewals, and cessation of operations.

The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation earlier announced there would be no POGOs operating in the country by the end of 2024.  —Sherylin Untalan/VBL, GMA Integrated News