A total of 244 foreign nationals were arrested by the Bureau of Immigration in separate operations targeting suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator activities in Zamboanga Sibugay.
The operations were conducted Oct. 2 in Barangay Kimos in Siay and Barangay Tandiong Muslim in Alicia, with the National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines joining the Bureau of Immigration.
In Siay, authorities arrested 113 foreign nationals, including 110 Chinese, two Cambodians and one Hong Kong national.
Another 131 foreigners were arrested in Alicia. Most were Chinese nationals, while others were from Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar.
The Bureau of Immigration said the identities and nationalities of all those arrested were still being verified.
Authorities are investigating the individuals for possible violations of immigration laws, including working without the appropriate work visas, being undocumented and illegally entering the Philippines.
Some of those arrested were also allegedly involved in illegal online activities linked to POGO operations.
During an operation at Casa de Coco Pension House, authorities seized 78 computer monitors, about 3,000 mobile phones, laptops and SIM cards. Other equipment believed to be potentially used for online scams was also recovered.
The Bureau of Immigration said the seized equipment indicated a possible organized illegal online operation in the area.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the agency would continue apprehending and holding accountable foreign nationals who violate immigration laws and are allegedly involved in illegal POGO activities.
The BI is also checking for possible violations related to human trafficking.
The arrested foreign nationals will undergo deportation proceedings. Once deportation orders are issued, their names will be placed on the BI blacklist, preventing them from returning to the Philippines.
