MANILA, Philippines — Government agents apprehended 510 foreigners for engaging in illegal activities last year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported over the weekend.
Of the figure, the BI said 332 were Chinese reportedly engaged in illegal online gambling and other cybercrimes.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the illegal aliens were arrested in operations conducted by the BI Intelligence Division in various parts of the country.
The number of apprehensions was lower compared to 2019 because of quarantine restrictions due to the pandemic, Morente said.
In 2019, the BI arrested a total of 2,000 foreigners who were either involved in online gambling or violated the country’s immigration laws.
BI Intelligence Division chief Fortunato Manahan Jr. said most the Chinese were arrested in Tarlac last December for working in the country without permits.