84 Chinese POGO workers deported from Philippines

Eighty-four Chinese nationals from illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) were deported back to China on Friday, according to the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC).

The joint operation between Beijing and Manila repatriated nearly 100 Chinese citizens engaged in offshore gambling in the Philippines, as stated by the Chinese Embassy.

This group includes individuals from raided POGOs in Bamban, Tarlac and Porac, Pampanga, with about half remaining in Shanghai for further legal action and the rest traveling to Xi'an.

Four individuals were offloaded mid-flight after causing a disturbance on board.

Dr. Winston Casio, PAOCC spokesperson, noted that some deportees had their preliminary hold departures (PHDOs) lifted by the Bureau of Immigration only to have new orders issued against them.

The government is spending around P200,000 to P250,000 per month on humanitarian assistance for witnesses and other individuals involved in these operations.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced during his third State of the Nation Address that he plans to ban all POGOs by the end of the year.