The Bureau of Immigration deported 23 Chinese nationals on November 21 for their involvement in unlawful Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations and cyberfraud. Officials stated they faced deportation orders due to immigration law violations and criminal warrants from their home country. Further arrests and deportations are anticipated against such illegal activities.
On November 21, 2025, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported 23 Chinese nationals from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 to Shanghai Pudong International Airport via Philippine Airlines. Alexi Val Arciaga, chief of the BI's deportation and implementation units, stated in a November 22 release that the individuals were subject to deportation orders for multiple violations of Philippine immigration laws, including involvement in POGO-like activities, fraud schemes, and being wanted criminals in their home country.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Viado indicated that additional arrests and deportations are expected for foreign nationals tied to unlawful online gaming facilities and scam hubs. "As long as illegal online gaming facilities and scam hubs persist, our enforcement operations will continue," he said.
This action aligns with broader efforts against POGOs. In his 2024 State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a ban on POGOs, citing their links to human trafficking, money laundering, cyber-scam operations, and other organized criminal enterprises. On October 29, 2025, he signed Republic Act No. 12312, the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which prohibits all forms of offshore gaming operations, revokes the licensing framework under Republic Act 11590, and mandates the cancellation of existing visas and work permits for foreign POGO employees.