THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported deporting almost 1,500 foreign nationals during the first half of the year following strengthened efforts to expedite deportation of illegal aliens arrested for violation of Philippine immigration laws.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said the move is in line with the President’s directive to swiftly arrest and expel foreign nationals who pose a threat to national security or public interest.
The BI’s deportation and implementation unit (DIU) reported that in the first half of 2025, the agency was able to deport a total of 1,422 foreign nationals found to have various immigration violations.
Chinese nationals topped the list with 957 deported, followed by 231 Vietnamese, 41 South Koreans, 41 Malaysians, and 37 Burmese.
Majority of the deportations, Viado said, were foreigners found to be illegally working in POGO companies in the country despite the ban.
The number of deported foreign nationals is double than the recorded 717 deportees during the same period last year.
“Our strengthened deportation protocols follows the directive of the President to act swiftly and remove foreigners who abuse our people’s hospitality,” said Viado. “We will continue expediting the deportation of foreign nationals who violate our laws,” he added.
The BI earlier reported improvements in deportation protocols, including fast-tracking clearances in partnership with the National Bureau of Investigation, immediate resolution of cases suspected to be filed under the ‘demanda me’ scheme, regular coordination with embassies for swift issuance of travel documents, and opening of a new holding facility for arrested aliens.
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