MANILA— The Bureau of Immigration (BI), together with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), apprehended 244 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, in simultaneous operations targeting suspected Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO)-related activities in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 2, 2026.

The operations were carried out in Barangay Kimos in Siay and Barangay Tandiong Muslim in Alicia under separate mission orders issued by the BI.

In Siay, authorities apprehended 113 foreign nationals, including 110 Chinese, two Cambodians and one Hong Kong national.

Another 131 foreign nationals were apprehended in Alicia. Most were Chinese nationals, while others were from Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.

The BI said the identities and nationalities of those apprehended remain subject to verification by its Alien Registration Division.

Authorities are investigating the foreign nationals for possible immigration violations, including working without the appropriate work visa in violation of the conditions of their admission under Section 37(a)(7) of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended.

They are also being investigated for alleged involvement in illegal POGO-related online activities, being undocumented and, in some cases, illegal entry into the country.

During the operation at the Casa de Coco Pension House compound, authorities recovered 78 computer monitors, about 3,000 mobile phones, laptops and cellular SIM cards.

The raiding teams also seized numerous technical devices allegedly used in online scams, which the BI said indicated an organized illegal online operation at the site.

The operations were carried out by BI Regional Intelligence Operations Units in Mindanao and personnel from the BI Intelligence Division, in coordination with the NBI and AFP.

Fortunato S. Manahan Jr., chief of the BI Intelligence Division, and Melody Gonzales, deputy chief for operations and administration of the BI Intelligence Division-Mindanao, reported the operations to BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado.

Viado commended the operating teams and their law enforcement counterparts, saying the operations demonstrated the government’s continuing enforcement of immigration laws and its prohibition against illegal POGO activities.

“The Bureau of Immigration is firmly implementing the government’s policy against illegal POGO operations. We will continue to enforce our immigration laws against foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their stay and ensure that the Philippines is not used as a base for illegal activities,” Viado said.

The operations are part of the BI’s continuing implementation of Executive Order No. 74, series of 2024, which ordered the immediate ban on POGO operations in the Philippines.

The bureau is also enforcing Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which prohibits offshore gaming operations and the establishment or operation of POGO sites in the country.

The BI said it is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies over possible human trafficking violations that may have emerged from the operations. Any finding of trafficking offenses remains subject to investigation by the appropriate authorities.

The apprehended foreign nationals will undergo deportation proceedings for their alleged violations of Philippine immigration laws.

Those issued deportation orders will be blacklisted by the BI, preventing them from re-entering the Philippines.