Gambling operators deported
One hundred Chinese nationals were deported from the Philippines on Tuesday as part of the government’s ongoing crackdown on illegal offshore gambling operators.
widespread throughout the country and often target gamblers in China
Philippine offshore gaming operators, known as POGOs, are widespread throughout the country and often target gamblers in China, where betting is heavily restricted. They were banned in the Philippines in 2024, and the latest wave of deportations represents another step in the government’s attempt to crack down.
The deportees were swiftly sent to Shanghai in China, with the process overseen by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration.
Offshore risks
Offshore gambling sites represent one of the most difficult challenges for countries attempting to enforce gambling restrictions, and China is no exception.
POGOs have often been linked to other organized crime, including human trafficking
POGOs have represented a problem for both countries involved. In addition to circumventing Chinese gambling laws, the organizations were also blamed for an increase in crime in the Philippines. POGOs have often been linked to other organized crime, including human trafficking. Last year, when one site was raided, there were even claims of mass graves being discovered.
The crime wave resulting from POGOs eventually led President Ferdinand Marcos Jr to issue a ban and cooperate with Beijing on a crackdown and deportations of Chinese workers, despite the often-frosty relations between the two governments.
Strengthening ties
Those deported were arrested in multiple locations across the Philippines, including Lapu-Lapu City, Parañaque City, Pasay City, and Silang. It now brings the total workers deported due to the POGO crackdown to over 4,000 since the ban was initiated.
A statement from the PAOCC stated: “This latest deportation is part of the government’s intensified campaign to remove foreign nationals engaged in illicit online gaming and scamming operations, in line with the directive of President Marcos to ban [POGOs] and dismantle organized criminal networks.”
PAOCC director Gilberto Cruz also tagged along with the deportations, planning to meet with Chinese representatives in Shanghai to discuss the ongoing crackdown. Cruz stated that the meeting was intended to strengthen cooperation between the two countries and said that China had acknowledged the increased efforts from Filipino authorities to crack down on the operators.
