"42 Chinese POGO workers deported", 22 February 2024

Forty-two of the 43 Chinese who worked for an illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) in Pasay City were deported on Thursday afternoon, February 22.

Bound for Shanghai, China via Philippine Airlines, the deportation followed the October 27, 2023 raid by the inter-agency team at the internet gaming hubSmart Web Technology Corporation. Among the 42, only one was female.

The Bureau of Immigration, however, offloaded one of the Chinese due to a criminal charge of slight physical injury filed against him, based on their records. He will be brought back to Smart Web Technology Corp, according to the Presidential Anti-Organize Crime Commission (PAOCC).

PAOCC said 251 foreigners – 180 Chinese, 21 Vietnamese, five Malaysians, and three more Vietnamese – have been deported since December 2023, including the 42 Chinese who comprise the fifth batch of deportees.

Officials said 731 foreigners working for Smart Web Technology were held for questioning as some of the Chinese were victims of torture and kidnapping.

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