Five blacklisted Pogo workers arrested in Zamboanga City

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines arrested five workers linked to the Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogo) on March 22. The workers were trying to leave the country illegally. They were apprehended at Zamboanga International Airport. The arrested individuals are Chinese nationals aged between 27 and 36. They had ties to Lucky South 99 Corp., a Pogo company that was raided in June 2024 for illegal activities. BI officials reported that two of the suspects are fugitives wanted in China. Authorities received a tip-off that the group was trying to escape through a back-door route from Tawi-Tawi to Malaysia. They were using a "transporter," who helps arrange unauthorized travel. However, their attempt failed when their boat broke down near Languyan Island, Tawi-Tawi. When the group arrived in Zamboanga City, immigration officials confirmed their blacklisted status, meaning they had violated their stay conditions. Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado ordered their immediate arrest. The suspects were then handed over to the Philippine National Police for further investigation.