BI Arrests Chinese National with Alleged POGO Ties in Bacolod

BI Arrests Chinese National with Alleged POGO Ties in Bacolod

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | August 28, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – A Chinese national posing as a fruit vendor was apprehended in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, revealing a suspected link to illicit Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO). The arrest, executed by Bureau of Immigration (BI) operatives on August 6, underscores a national effort to curb illegal foreign presence and safeguard Philippine hospitality.

The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Xie Yingwen, was taken into custody Thursday afternoon on Yulo Street in Barangay 16, Bacolod City. Intelligence sources, acting on a mission order issued by BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado, led to the operation.

In a coordinated sweep involving the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office and Bacolod City Police Station 1, intelligence agents located Xie outside a residential area. Confronted by authorities, Xie failed to produce valid identification. Further investigation revealed that his visa had expired, rendering him an overstaying alien.

Significantly, Xie admitted to prior employment in Manila as a food vendor. The BI, however, has designated him as an undesirable alien, citing his alleged connections to online gaming operations—a sector frequently scrutinized for irregularities.

Commissioner Viado highlighted the critical role of inter-agency cooperation in expanding the BI’s reach beyond metropolitan centers. “Our operations are not merely centralized in Metro Manila,” Viado stated. “Collaboration with local government units, local police, and the intelligence community empowers us to locate and apprehend illegal aliens who may be seeking refuge in various regions of the country.”

Xie has been transferred to the BI’s holding facility in Bicutan, where he awaits deportation proceedings. This arrest serves as a strong message regarding the government’s unwavering commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting national security against individuals exploiting the country’s hospitality.

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