(Photo courtesy of BI)
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) deported 115 Chinese nationals on Friday, November 6, following their arrest during separate operations against suspected scam hubs in Zamboanga Sibugay and Quezon City last month.
In a statement, the BI said the deportees boarded a chartered China Southern Airlines flight CZ5308 bound for China, which departed Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City at 10 a.m.
The group consisted of 62 Chinese nationals arrested in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 2 and 53 others apprehended in Cubao, Quezon City, on October 12.
Their deportation followed the issuance of Summary Deportation Orders by the BI Board of Commissioners.
Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the operation reflects the bureau’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and addressing illegal activities involving foreign nationals.
Viado vowed to strengthen enforcement operations and coordination with domestic and international law enforcement agencies to combat illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities, online scams and other transnational crimes.
The BI said the deportations form part of the government’s continuing crackdown on illegal POGO operations and scam hubs under the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The bureau reiterated that it would continue pursuing immigration enforcement measures against foreign nationals found violating Philippine laws.
