The suspects' pending cases earlier prompted Beijing to cancel their passports, which meant they were working illegally at the Philippine offshore gaming operator in EDSA, where they were arrested Thursday night, said Metro Manila police.
The POGO in Barangay Bago Bantay is licensed by the Philippine gaming regulator, investigators said. The suspects were brought to police headquarters in Camp Karingal before their deportation proceedings, police said. The Philippines has seen a spike in the arrival of Chinese tourists and workers since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power in mid-2016 and immediately set about warming relations with Beijing.
The influx has had a mixed impact in the Philippines, with authorities suspecting many of the arrivals are working illegally in the online gambling industry.