By Itchie G. Cabayan
Copyright journal
A total of 81 Chinese nationals previously arrested for working in unauthorized Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs were deported by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday.
It was learned from BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval that the group departed aboard a Philippine Airlines Flight bound for China morning of September 19.
Said flight, she said, was arranged by the Chinese embassy, who assisted in the expedited deportation of the subjects.
The deportees, according to Sandoval, were part of the Chinese nationals who were earlier taken into custody during various inter-agency raid operations with the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission of POGO operations in Pasay and Paranaque, as well as mining operations in Homonhon.
Others remain under government custody due to pending court cases and other legal incidents.
Said deportation was spearheaded by the BI’s Deportation and Implementation Unit (DIU) under Chief Atty. Alexi Val Arciaga, in coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Sandoval assured that the BI will continue to coordinate with law enforcement and concerned agencies to implement the administration’s directive against illegal POGO activities.
