The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) has ordered the deportation of 42 foreigners arrested during a raid on a suspected illegal offshore gambling operation (POGO) in Bagac, Bataan Province.
In a memorandum dated November 12, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (who also serves as the chairman of PAOCC) directed the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to assist in deporting the foreigners temporarily held at a detention facility in Pasay City.
"On October 31, 2024, PAOCC successfully conducted an enforcement operation against Central One, a company masquerading as a business process outsourcing firm but actually operating an illegal offshore gambling operation in Centro Park, Barangay Parang, Bagac, Bataan. This operation resulted in the arrest of 42 foreigners who will undergo deportation proceedings," said Bersamin.
"Given these circumstances, the DOJ and BI are hereby instructed to assist in the immediate deportation of the arrested foreigners, subsequently transferring them to the temporary detention facility located at 50 Williams Street, FB Harrison Street in the NASDAKE Building in Pasay City, and to blacklist the aforementioned individuals, prohibiting their re-entry into the Philippines, subject to applicable laws, rules, and regulations," he added.
Last week, authorities raided a business process outsourcing company in Bataan Province, discovering it was involved in labor trafficking and illegal gambling activities. Over 40 foreigners were captured during the operation.
Among the arrested POGO employees was an Indonesian, who is wanted in Indonesia for alleged fraud, money laundering, and online gambling.
