MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is expediting the deportation of foreign nationals involved in illegal POGO operations, saying the cost of their detention adds to government expenses. 

According to BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval, the agency allocates ₱70 per individual for food. There are also logistical costs, including personnel deployment, transportation, and other expenses that could be used elsewhere. 

"Lumalaki ang expenses ng Philippine government, that's why we want to make sure 'yung pinakamabilis na paraan po ng pagde-deport sakanila, 'yun na po 'yung gagawin natin. Kung ano po yung isinumiteng ticket satin 'yun ang i-implement natin," Sandoval said. 

Aside from these expenses, detention facilities are also running out of space. Sandoval said the Camp Bagong Diwa detention facility, which is designed to hold only 100 detainees, now houses around 300 individuals. 

As of February 24, a total of 226 foreign nationals have been deported. 

98 CHINESE NATIONALS DEPORTED 

On Tuesday, 98 Chinese nationals working in illegal POGOs were deported via a chartered flight to China, in coordination with the Chinese embassy. Of these, 91 were among the 450 individuals arrested during an operation in Parañaque on January 8, while 7 came from detention center in Bicutan. Additionally, 10 Vietnamese nationals were also deported via a commercial flight. 

"Ine-encourage natin ngayon na sila ay magsurrender volunarily. Wala na po 'yung fanfare na huhulihin, ilalagay sa detention center," Sandoval said. 

There are still 11,000 remaining foreign nationals that the BI aims to arrest by mid-year. 

"Medyo extra efforts tayo ngayon in terms of arrest and deportation, kasi big groups po 'yung mga nahuhuli and nakikita natin, pero meron kasing mga smaller groups or areas like condos and residential houses," Sandoval said.