The Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported 115 Chinese nationals on Friday, November 6, 2026, following their apprehension in connection with illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs. The group, which included individuals arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay and Quezon City, departed from Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City aboard a chartered China Southern Airlines flight, CZ5308, the Philippine News Agency reported.
The operation marks a significant logistical push by the BI to clear detention facilities and enforce Summary Deportation Orders issued by the Board of Commissioners. According to the Bureau of Immigration, the total group consisted of 62 individuals apprehended in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 2 and 53 others nabbed in Cubao, Quezon City, on October 12.
Bureau of Immigration Coordinates Efforts to Deport Foreign Nationals
The coordination between the BI and local law enforcement shows an ongoing effort to dismantle the infrastructure supporting illicit online gaming and transnational scam operations. BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado stated that the deportation serves to ensure that foreign nationals involved in illegal activities face the consequences of their actions. Viado further emphasized that the Bureau intends to maintain its aggressive stance, coordinating with both domestic and international partners to combat the proliferation of illegal POGO-linked scams.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that the 115 Chinese nationals deported were apprehended during two major operations in Zamboanga Sibugay and Quezon City in October. The movement of these individuals via a chartered flight reflects the standard procedure for large-scale deportations when commercial flights are deemed insufficient or unsuitable for the secure transport of detainees.
Context of POGO-Related Crackdowns
This deportation aligns with the wider directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who has prioritized the systematic shutdown of scam hubs and illegal POGO facilities across the archipelago. The transition from active investigation to final deportation represents the culmination of operations that began in early October. The enforcement actions in Zamboanga Sibugay and Cubao were not isolated incidents but part of a broader campaign against foreign nationals operating outside the bounds of their visas and Philippine law.
The challenge for the Bureau of Immigration remains the ongoing identification of these hubs, which often operate under the guise of legitimate business operations. As the government continues to tighten regulations, the focus has shifted toward not only the closure of these sites but also the efficient processing of foreign nationals whose presence in the country is linked to transnational crime. The Bureau of Immigration has signaled that it will continue strengthening its coordination with international law enforcement agencies to ensure that deported individuals cannot easily return to the country or continue their operations from abroad.
On Friday, 115 Chinese nationals were deported to China following the resolution of their legal proceedings in the Philippines. The Bureau has not yet announced the details of the next set of deportations, but officials have indicated that enforcement operations remain active as they continue to target other suspected illegal gaming and scamming facilities identified during the ongoing investigation period.
The situation remains fluid as authorities track the remaining hubs identified in late 2026.
