89 FOREIGN NATIONALS BEHIND POGO, SCAM HUBS DEPORTED – PAOCC

THE Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), along with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), deported a total of 89 foreign nationals from June 3 to 5, 2025, marking a firm step in the government’s effort to dismantle transnational crime networks.

PAOCC Undersecretary Gilberto DC Cruz said among the deportees were 77 Vietnamese and 12 South Koreans.

The 89 foreigners were apprehended during a series of inter-agency operations targeting illegal offshore gaming operations and scam hubs nationwide.

The concerned agencies include the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the BI, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and PAOCC.

The mass deportation was part of a broader effort by the government to deport about 140 foreign nationals from the Philippines starting in early June over a five-day period, which is in line with the order of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to expedite the deportation of all foreign nationals who are partaking in illegal offshore and online gaming or whom were the source of cyber-fraud operations in the country.

More deportations are expected in the coming days, subject to the availability of implementation orders from the BI and the issuance of clearances by the NBI.

As part of the deportation, a delegation from the Philippines led by Cruz flew to Vietnam to assist in the process.

Cruz and officers also met with Col. Le Khac Son, the Deputy Director of Vietnam’s Criminal Police Department. The dialogue focused on strengthening joint efforts to combat transnational crimes, particularly those involving syndicates operating across Southeast Asia.

“We are sending a clear message: the Philippines will no longer be allowed to be a sanctuary for foreign nationals exploiting the international digital and legal systems. These deportations are part of a focused campaign to disrupt the criminal syndicates at the source,” Cruz said.

He added: “Every individual we deport who is involved in these illegal operations is one less threat to the Filipino people. We will continue to identify, apprehend, and remove those who violate our laws.”

“Deportation is only one layer of our operation. We will be creating a near-regional cohort of intelligence, coordination, and legal associations to assure the syndicates do not move their operation from the Philippines to another jurisdiction and convert back to operational mode again,” Cruz said.

The PAOCC official said the collaborative activity not only strengthens the bilateral relationship but also seeks to establish the Philippines as a leader in a regional strategy and action plan process that counters cyber and organized crime syndicates.

PAOCC reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national security and public welfare through intensified law enforcement collaboration both locally and internationally.