Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) — Seventeen more Chinese nationals linked to illegal online gambling operations were sent back to their homeland on Wednesday, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
This is the third batch of deportation carried out by the Philippine government amid its crackdown on the industry.
“The 17 is part of the more than 300 foreign nationals, mostly Chinese citizens, set to be deported after being arrested by local law enforcement agencies for involvement in illegal online gambling,” the BI said in a statement.
Authorities started the deportation of the illegal workers in October — with the first two batches comprising of 27 Chinese nationals.
The BI stressed that the deported individuals will be automatically included in the Philippines’ blacklist.
