A TOTAL of 187 POGO (Philippine Offshore Gaming) workers were deported back to China on Thursday morning, December 5, 2024 via NAIA Terminal 1.
Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) Executive Director Gilbert Cruz said the deported workers are from various POGO hubs raided by authorities: 122 from 3D Analyzer in Pasay, 57 from Tourist Garden Hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu and 11 from Zun Yuan Technology in Bamban, Tarlac, SmartWeb Technology in Pasay and Clark, Pampanga.
Cruz said the workers were deported for violating Philippine immigration laws and lack of proper documents to warrant their continued stay.
It was learned that once they arrive in China, the deported POGO workers will be subjected to investigation for possible involvement in online scamming activities.
Cruz said that while originally, 190 POGO workers were slated to be deported on Thursday, three had to be deferred due to pending documentation.
The deportation comes in the wake of the nearing deadline for POGO to totally cease operations in the country, pursuant to a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. himself.
