Ninety-one Chinese nationals were deported on Friday morning for their alleged involvement in illegal Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities, and other illegal activities.

According to PAOCC, 103 individuals were supposed to be sent back, however, 12 were offloaded after the Immigration failed to issue the necessary implementation order.

Of those deported, 101 were reportedly involved in POGO operations, while two were linked to illegal mining activities.

The group was flown out at 10:40 a.m. on a chartered flight bound for Shanghai, China, with all deportation expenses shouldered by the Chinese Embassy.

The deportation was conducted in a joint operation led by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Chinese Embassy in Manila.

The arrests stemmed from a series of inter-agency raids that dismantled illegal POGO hubs in Pasay City, Parañaque City, Biñan, Laguna, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Porac and Mabalacat, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac.

PAOCC clarified that connecting flights are no longer allowed for deportees to prevent escape or diversion to other countries.

PAOCC Executive Director Gilbert Cruz emphasized that foreigners engaging in illegal activities have no place in the country, adding that the commission will ensure they will not be able to return to the Philippines.