The number of Chinese nationals arrested by the Bureau of Immigration has climbed to 55 with the apprehension of 38 others reportedly involved in illegal online gambling inside the Bataan Freeport Zone.
According to BI Fugitive Search Unit head Jose Carlitos Licas, the foreigners will be deported to China for failing to present valid immigration papers to be able stay in the country.
“They will be brought to the BI detention center in Taguig. All their passports have been canceled already by the Chinese Embassy,” Licas said.
The FSU initially arrested 17 other Chinese nationals last Tuesday.
The raid was conducted after the bureau received information that the foreigners were operating illegal online gambling in the BFZ.
Licas said the operation was made in coordination with China police attaché Senior Supt. Fu Yun Fei and Authority of Freeport Area of Bataan administrator Emmanuel Pineda.
Last year, the BI arrested 1,316 Chinese nationals working in an illegal online gambling facility inside the Fontana Leisure Park in Clark Field, Pampanga.