On October 13, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration issued a notice stating that law enforcement officers raided a suspected illegal offshore Philippine gaming operation (POGO) and online scam den in Quezon City near Manila, the capital, on the 12th, arresting a total of 76 foreigners, of whom 74 are Chinese citizens and the other 2 are Myanmar citizens.
According to the Bureau of Immigration, the operation was jointly carried out by the bureau's Intelligence Division Special Response Unit, the Fourth District Intelligence Operations Team, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Capital District Command. Law enforcement officers conducted the search on the basis of a formally issued mission order.
The Bureau of Immigration said this is the second illegal POGO den seized in the past two weeks. The operation aims to implement President Marcos's directive to crack down on illegal offshore gaming activities and to enforce the 2025 Anti-POGO Law.
In recent years, the Philippines has continued to step up its crackdown on illegal offshore gaming and related online scam activities, focusing on law enforcement operations targeting those suspected of violating immigration regulations, engaging in illegal operations, and committing cybercrime.
At present, the 76 arrested foreigners are under investigation and will be dealt with in accordance with Philippine immigration law in due course. If a deportation order is formally issued, the individuals involved will be placed on the Bureau of Immigration's blacklist and will not be allowed to re-enter the Philippines in the future.
Philippine Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Viado said the bureau will continue to crack down on illegal POGO activities, strictly enforce immigration laws, and cooperate with the government in combating online scams and other illegal acts.