Fifty-seven foreigners who worked for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) have been deported since Jan. 31, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Thursday, Feb. 6.
Those deported were 46 Chinese, one Malaysian, three Vietnamese and seven Myanmar citizens, the BI said.
“They are part of the 450 foreign nationals arrested last January for violating Philippine laws, particularly those involved in illegal POGO activities,” it also said.
President Marcos had declared last year that POGOs will no longer be allowed to operate in the country.
With the President's declaration, the BI launched a hunt to find these foreigners who worked with POGOs and are still in the country, Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado said.
“Authorities are working closely to identify, arrest, and remove foreign nationals engaged in criminal activities,” Viado assured.
"We will not allow foreign nationals to abuse our immigration system,” he declared.
“Those who break our laws and insist on continuing illegal POGO activities in the Philippines will be arrested and swiftly deported," he warned.
Under the leadership of President Marcos and with the full support of the Department of Justice, Viado assured: “We are resolute in ridding the country of these undesirable aliens.”