Philippines – Philippine authorities carried out the largest anti-POGO operation of the year on October 2, 2026, rounding up 244 foreign nationals across two towns in Zamboanga Sibugay. Most of those taken into custody are Chinese nationals.
According to a press release from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the raids were conducted simultaneously in the municipalities of Siay and Alicia. The crackdown was part of the government’s ongoing push to shut down illegal offshore gaming operations in the country.
How the Raids Unfolded
Acting on separate mission orders, BI teams moved in on two locations at the same time. The arrests broke down as follows:
- Siay: 113 foreign nationals, including 110 Chinese, two Cambodians, and one Hong Kong national
- Alicia: 131 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese, along with Malaysian, Indonesian, and Myanmar nationals
Both operations were carried out by BI intelligence units in Mindanao, working alongside the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
What Agents Seized
Inside the compounds, authorities uncovered what appeared to be an organized online scam hub. From the Casa de Coco Pension House in Alicia, agents recovered:
- Around 3,000 mobile phones
- 78 computer monitors
- Several laptops
- A large number of SIM cards
Officials believe the equipment was used to run illegal online operations targeting victims both here and abroad.
The Charges They’re Facing
The arrested foreigners are being investigated for a range of immigration violations. These include working without the proper visa, taking part in banned POGO activities, staying in the country undocumented, and, in some cases, entering illegally.
The BI is also looking into possible human trafficking links tied to the operation, though that part of the investigation is still ongoing.
Officials React
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado praised the teams behind the raids and reaffirmed the government’s firm stance against illegal gaming hubs.
“The Bureau of Immigration is firmly implementing the government’s policy against illegal POGO operations,” Viado said. He added that the agency will keep enforcing immigration laws against foreigners who break the terms of their stay.
What Happens Next
The 244 detainees will go through deportation proceedings. Once deportation orders are issued, their names will be added to the BI’s blacklist, which permanently bars them from returning to the Philippines.
For Filipinos overseas keeping an eye on developments back home, this marks one of the strongest moves yet in the nationwide effort to stamp out offshore gaming operations.