Philippines Arrests 244 Foreigners in Largest 2026 Raid on Illegal POGO Operations
Largest 2026 POGO Raid Nets 244 Foreigners
Authorities in Zamboanga Sibugay apprehended 244 foreign nationals in a crackdown on Philippine offshore gaming operators, marking the largest operation to date in 2026. [1] The simultaneous operations targeted suspected POGO-related activities in two municipalities on October 2, 2026. [1] The Bureau of Immigration described the raids as the largest POGO bust of 2026. [4] The arrests included Chinese nationals and involved investigations into immigration violations, illegal entry, and involvement in online scams. [1] This operation forms part of a broader government effort to enforce the ban on POGO activities following the Anti-POGO Act of 2025. [1] The raids were conducted by the BI Intelligence Division and its Mindanao units, with the National Bureau of Investigation and Armed Forces of the Philippines. [1]
Breakdown of Arrests by Location and Nationality
In Siay town, authorities nabbed 113 foreigners, including 110 Chinese, 2 Cambodians, and 1 Hong Konger. [1] Another 131 were apprehended in Alicia town, mostly Chinese, along with Malaysians, Indonesians, and Burmese. [1] The identities and nationalities of those arrested remain subject to verification. [1] The raids occurred in Barangays Kimos of Siay town and Barangay Tandiong Muslim of Alicia town in Zamboanga Sibugay. [1] The Bureau of Immigration said those apprehended during simultaneous operations in Zamboanga Sibugay were mostly Chinese. [1] Another 131 foreigners were arrested at the second site who were mostly Chinese and also included citizens of Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar. [4]
Seized Equipment Linked to Online Scams
In Siay, authorities also seized 78 computer monitors, laptops, cellular SIM cards, and around 3,000 mobile phones. [1] The equipment is believed to have been used in organized online scam operations. [1] The bureau said large quantities of computer equipment, mobile phones, laptops, and SIM cards were seized. [4] The items confiscated during the raids are linked to suspected illegal POGO-related online activities. [1] Authorities apprehend foreign nationals during simultaneous operations against illegal POGO activities in Zamboanga Sibugay on October 2, 2026. [1]
Investigations and Deportation Proceedings
The foreigners are being investigated for alleged immigration violations, including working without the required work visa, and in some cases illegal entry. [1] The BI also cited their alleged involvement in illegal POGO-related online activities. [1] The foreigners will undergo deportation proceedings for their alleged violations of Philippine immigration laws. [1] Those issued deportation orders will be placed on the BI’s blacklist and barred from reentering the Philippines. [1] The government is investigating possible human trafficking-related offences by a number of those arrested, while the rest will be deported. [4] The arrestees face probes into immigration violations, illegal entry, working without visas and involvement in illegal POGO-related online activities. [1]
Context of Philippines POGO Ban
The operation is part of the government’s continuing crackdown on POGO activities, which President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered banned during his third State of the Nation Address in 2024. [1] In October 2025, Marcos signed Republic Act No. 12312, or the Anti-POGO Act of 2025, which prohibits offshore gaming operations and the establishment or operation of POGO sites in the country. [1] Manila banned Philippine online gaming operators, known locally as POGOs, in 2024 on the grounds that organised crime groups used them as a cover for human trafficking, money laundering, online fraud, kidnappings and murder. [4] But POGO operations have continued despite the ban. [1] Authorities have carried out raids and arrests in different parts of the country in recent years, targeting suspected illegal offshore gaming operations. [1]
Official Statements on Enforcement
BI Commissioner Joel Viado said that his agency is firmly implementing the government’s policy. [1] 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, he said. [1] Immigration chief Joel Viado said in the statement that enforcement efforts remain ongoing. [4] The Chinese embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the arrests. [4]
What to watch next: Authorities have carried out raids and arrests in different parts of the country in recent years, targeting suspected illegal offshore gaming operations, with further enforcement expected under the existing ban.
