MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported 98 Chinese nationals found working under an illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO), as the government intensifies its efforts to shut down unlicensed gambling operations.

The deportees boarded a Philippine Airlines chartered flight to Xi’an, China, on the evening of February 25.

Of the 98, a total of 91 were among the 450 individuals arrested in a Parañaque City raid on January 8, while seven others were detained at the BI facility in Bicutan, Taguig.

According to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, the Chinese Embassy arranged the chartered flight to facilitate the swift removal of foreign nationals linked to illegal POGO operations.

Since January, immigration authorities have arrested over 500 foreign nationals in various operations across Parañaque, Cavite, and Pasay City. So far, 226 have been deported.

Viado underscored the urgency of their efforts, stating, “We are working relentlessly with our partner agencies to ensure the swiftest deportation possible. This is a clear message that the Philippines will not be a safe haven for illegal activities.”

Meanwhile, 10 Vietnamese nationals were also deported the same day via NAIA Terminal 1.

Reassuring the public, Viado vowed to expedite the removal of foreign workers violating immigration laws. “We will continue to find ways to make the process even faster. The sooner they leave, the better for everyone,” he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s shutdown POGO operations in the country last year, citing national security concerns and their ties to transnational crimes.