26 illegal POGO aliens deported

By Ferdinand Patinio, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Another batch of illegal aliens involved in illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) was deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

In a news release Saturday, BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the recent deportees consisted of 23 Chinese nationals and three Malaysians, who boarded Philippine Airlines and Malaysian Airlines flights, respectively, on Friday night.

He said the 26 deportees were part of the 450 foreign nationals apprehended in January for violating Philippine immigration laws, particularly POGO-related scams.

The day before, the BI reported 57 foreign nationals, were deported from Jan. 31 to Feb. 5 — 46 Chinese, seven Myanmar nationals, three Vietnamese and one Malaysian.

“We are resolute in enforcing immigration laws and ensuring that those who exploit our country for illicit activities are removed,” Viado said.

He vowed that the BI will continue to work closely with other government agencies to identify and remove foreign nationals involved in illegal activities in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to eradicate POGOs.

“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,” Viado said.

“This is a whole-of-government effort. We are committed to cleansing the country of illegal POGOs and ensuring that the rule of law prevails.”