MANILA: China has thanked the Philippines for its cooperation in repatriating 115 Chinese nationals arrested during separate raids on suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hubs.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila said Chinese and Philippine law enforcement agencies jointly deported the 115 suspects linked to gambling and fraud on Nov 6.
“China appreciates the assistance provided by relevant Philippine law enforcement authorities,” the embassy said in a statement on Saturday.
It described the repatriation as “another major achievement in our joint efforts to combat transnational crime”.
The statement followed the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) deportation of 115 Chinese nationals arrested during operations against suspected illegal Pogo operations.
The deportees included 62 Chinese nationals apprehended in Zamboanga Sibugay on Oct 2 and another 53 arrested in Cubao on Oct 12.
They were flown back to China aboard a chartered China Southern Airlines flight, CZ5308, which departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
Their departure followed the issuance of summary deportation orders by the BI Board of Commissioners.
In an update at 11.51am on Friday, the bureau said the Chinese nationals had begun boarding the aircraft.
The embassy also disclosed that more than 2,600 suspects had been repatriated through joint Philippine-Chinese law enforcement efforts since 2023.
It did not provide a breakdown of the cases.
“China’s resolve to combat transnational crimes, including gambling and fraud, remains unwavering,” the embassy said.
“We stand ready to continue close cooperation with Philippine law enforcement authorities and take all necessary measures to safeguard orderly personnel exchanges and economic and trade cooperation between the two countries,” it added.
The latest deportations followed two raids in October that resulted in the arrest of 320 foreigners at suspected illegal Pogo and online scam facilities.
Authorities arrested 244 foreigners during simultaneous operations in Siay and Alicia, Zamboanga Sibugay, on Oct 2, followed by another 76 in Cubao on Oct 12.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr ordered a nationwide ban on Pogo operations in July 2024 after investigations linked offshore gaming establishments to online scams, human trafficking and other crimes. - Inquirer/ANN
