BI Largest POGO Bust of 2026: 244 Foreign Nationals Arrested

BI Largest POGO Bust of 2026: 244 Foreign Nationals Arrested

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | October 5, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI), in a major joint operation with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), apprehended 244 foreign nationals, primarily Chinese, during a sweeping crackdown on suspected Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) activities in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 2, 2026. This marks the largest POGO bust to date for the year.

Simultaneous operations, authorized by separate BI mission orders, targeted locations in Barangay Kimos, Siay, and Barangay Tandiong Muslim, Alicia. These actions are a direct enforcement of Executive Order No. 74, series of 2024, which mandated an immediate ban on POGO operations in the Philippines, and Republic Act No. 12312, the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which explicitly prohibits offshore gaming and the establishment of POGO sites.

The Siay operation resulted in the apprehension of 113 foreign nationals: 110 Chinese, two Cambodians, and one Hong Kong national. In Alicia, 131 foreign nationals were taken into custody, predominantly Chinese, alongside individuals from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Myanmar. The BI Alien Registration Division is currently verifying the identities and nationalities of those arrested.

Investigations are underway for alleged immigration violations, including working without proper visas, a breach of Section 37(a)(7) of Commonwealth Act No. 613. Detainees are also being investigated for undesirability due to suspected involvement in illegal online POGO activities, being undocumented, and, in some instances, illegal entry.

Operatives recovered significant quantities of computer equipment from the Casa de Coco Pension House compound, including 78 computer monitors, approximately 3,000 mobile phones, laptops, and cellular SIM cards. Authorities also seized numerous technical devices believed to have been used for online scams, indicating a sophisticated illegal online operation at the site.

The coordinated operations were executed by the BI Regional Intelligence Operations Units in Mindanao and BI Intelligence Division personnel, in conjunction with the NBI and AFP.

BI Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado received reports on the operations from Fortunato S. Manahan Jr., Chief of the BI Intelligence Division, and Melody Gonzales, Deputy Chief for Operations and Administration of the BI Intelligence Division-Mindanao.

Commissioner Viado commended the operating teams and their law enforcement partners, reaffirming the Bureau’s unwavering commitment to enforcing immigration laws and the government’s prohibition against illegal POGO activities. 

“The Bureau of Immigration is firmly implementing the government’s policy against illegal POGO operations. We will continue to enforce our immigration laws against foreign nationals who violate the conditions of their stay and ensure that the Philippines is not used as a base for illegal activities,” Viado stated.

The BI is also collaborating with other law enforcement agencies to investigate potential human trafficking violations related to these operations. Any determination of trafficking offenses awaits further investigation by the appropriate authorities.

The apprehended foreign nationals will face deportation proceedings for their alleged violations of Philippine immigration laws. Following the issuance of a deportation order, their names will be added to the Bureau’s blacklist, prohibiting their re-entry into the country.