INQUIRER file photo / ALEXIS CORPUZ
MANILA, Philippines — Twenty-one Chinese nationals previously involved in illegal online gambling-related activities have been deported back to their homeland, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Thursday.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the deported foreigners boarded a Philippine Airlines flight to Wuhan, China, on Wednesday afternoon (November 2).
Operatives from the warden facility protection unit of the BI, border control, and intelligence division accompanied the Chinese nationals, Tansingco added.
The bureau earlier announced its plans to deport more than 300 foreigners, mainly Chinese nationals, who local law enforcement agencies have detained for their involvement in unlawful gambling activities.
Tansingco noted that the BI has already informed Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla about this development since the latter was present during the first deportations.
“We will ensure that those involved in illegal activities will be deported and blacklisted,” he said. “This is to create a safe space for foreign nationals who comply with immigration policies here in the country legally.”
Tansingco said the BI is closely working with the Chinese embassy for the quick release of more deportees’ travel documents as it expects to send off another batch of foreign nationals soon. With reports from Alyssa Joy Quevedo, trainee
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