Philippine immigration and military units raided two buildings in Zamboanga Sibugay on 2 October, arresting 244 foreign workers—110 of them Chinese—in what officials called the largest operation this year against outlawed Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). The Bureau of Immigration announced the numbers on 4 October, adding that those without valid work visas face swift deportation. Manila banned POGOs in 2024 after they were linked to money-laundering, kidnapping and cyber-fraud. Yet hundreds of fly-by-night firms—many servicing Mainland punters—continue to operate in southern Mindanao. Investigators say the latest bust uncovered forced-labour indicators: workers’ passports were withheld and dormitories locked. Chinese embassy officials have requested consular access and reminded nationals that “tourist visas do not permit employment.” For multinational employers, the incident is another warning that staff seconded to the Philippines—even on short IT or finance assignments—can become collateral damage in anti-POGO sweeps if paperwork is not impeccable. Legal advisers urge companies to migrate any China-based support roles to fully licensed Business Process Outsourcing zones in Metro Manila, where immigration status is easier to verify. The crackdown may also strain bilateral ties ahead of a scheduled Joint Economic Committee meeting in November. Philippine senators are drafting a bill that would impose lifetime entry bans on foreigners convicted of cyber-crime, a measure that could affect mobility for legitimate Chinese tech specialists. Businesses should follow the legislation closely and review their vendor due-diligence protocols.
Source: Channels Television
