MANILA, Philippines —In a continuous crackdown against illegal workers in the sector, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday that 21 workers of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (Pogo) had been deported back to China.
According to the DOJ, the BI undertook yet another deportation operation against the Chinese nationals.
“The continuous deportation operation is poised to implement the government’s policy to crack down on the illegally operating Pogo companies who no longer give any benefit to the government and who instead have been the source of criminal activities,” the DOJ said in a statement.
The Justice Department also noted that the country “have seen a decrease in reported crimes related to the Pogo industry” following the deportation of illegal workers.
According to the DOJ, the first batch of six Chinese nationals was deported on October 19.
The BI also canceled the visas of over 48,000 Pogo workers.
READ: Visa cancellation of over 48,000 POGO workers underway
The Philippines has become a hotbed for Chinese gangsters after Vietnam and Cambodia outlawed Chinese-backed online gambling and overseas casinos similar to Pogo, according to Brig. Gen. Ronald Lee, the director of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Legislators have pushed for the government to ban Pogo because the operation abets kidnappings and other crimes.
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