MANILA, Philippines — Eighty-nine foreigners who were apprehended in illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) hubs were deported recently, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) reported yesterday.
The foreigners, 77 Vietnamese and 12 South Koreans, were deported from June 3 to 5, according to PAOCC executive director Gilbert Cruz.
The move was in compliance with the directive of President Marcos to expedite the deportation of foreign nationals who were involved in POGO operations.
Cruz flew to Vietnam and assisted in the process. He and other officials held a dialogue with Col. Le Khac Son, deputy director of Vietnam’s criminal police department, to strengthen joint efforts to combat transnational crimes.
Cruz said the suspects were nabbed during a series of inter-agency operations targeting POGO and scam hubs in Metro Manila and other areas.
The other agencies involved in the operations are the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Immigration and National Bureau of Investigation.
Cruz said 51 more foreigners are set to be deported in the coming days.
He said the public should expect mass deportations of foreigners who were rounded up from POGO hubs.