MANILA — Stricter protocols will be enforced for arriving foreign passengers following a raid on a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga, the Bureau of Immigration said. 

BI deputy spokesperson Melvin Mabilac said there has been an increase in the number of foreigners denied entry to the Philippines. 

"May naka-task na pong mga immigration personnel na nagpo-profile even from the queueing area pa lang at nakita natin 'yong increase ng hindi pinapapasok," he said.

(We have tasked immigration personnel to profile from the queueing area, and we've seen an increase in foreigners denied entry.)

He said all foreign nationals are being screened.

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"[Sa] possibility na ang pagpasok nila ay hindi naman sang-ayon sa kanilang declared purpose at ilang gagawin dito sa Pilipinas na nakikita natin na possible sila ay maging threat sa national security, public health or safety and public morals," Mabilac told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

(Those whose declared purpose and intentions do not add up and are perceived threats to national security, public health, or safety and public morals. We've been doing this and even our intelligence units are too.) 

While the Immigration bureau did not give a specific number of people for deportation, Mabilac noted that their detention facility is beyond the ideal capacity. 

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Currently, the foreign nationals rescued from the controversial Lucky South 99 POGO Hub in Porac are legally under Immigration custody.

But, physically, they are at the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission headquarters for lack of space at the BI's facility.

Mabilac added that Immigration is also dependent on information passed on to them by the foreign national's country of origin.

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