THE office of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the Ninoy Aquino International deported on Tuesday night 55 Chinese who were arrested on April 18 at the Mariveles, Bataan, free port for various “economic crimes”.
The 55 were arrested by the bureau’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU). At least 38 were reportedly found involved in illegal online gambling inside the Bataan free port zone.
FSU agent Muhammad Plawan said the 55 Chinese were deported to Beijing for not having valid immigration documents as their embassy canceled their passports.
“They were taken to the BI detention center in Taguig City. All their passports have already been cancelled by the Chinese Embassy,” Muhammad said.
Immigration agents arrested 17 other Chinese on Tuesday.
The raid was conducted after the bureau received information that the foreigners were operating illegal online gambling at the free port zone, while the rest were arrested for other economic crimes, according to a Chinese intelligence agent who escorted them back to Guangzhou.
Last year the BI has arrested 1,316 Chinese working in an illegal online gambling facility inside the Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Field, Pampanga.