FIFTY-SEVEN foreigners of various nationalities were deported from January 31 to February 5 this year as part of the government’s effort to remove illegal aliens in the country, particularly those involved in illicit online gambling operations, the Bureau of Immigration said yesterday.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the 57 were among 450 foreigners arrested last month for violating Philippine laws, particularly the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operation or POGO operation.
“The deportation drive is part of the BI’s intensified enforcement efforts. Authorities are working closely to identify, arrest and remove foreign nationals engaged in criminal activities,” Viado said as he promised to sustain efforts to apprehend and deport those who violate the country’s laws.
“The crackdown is particularly focused on foreign nationals involved in illegal POGOs, which have been linked to human trafficking, cyber fraud, and other criminal enterprises,” he added.
The 57 were deported via several flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
BI Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval said of the 57 deported, 46 were Chinese, seven were from Myanmar, three were Vietnamese, and a Malaysian. – Osias Osorio
