MANILA – A Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub linked to “love scam” activities situated near the Senate building in Pasay City has been raided by authorities on Thursday night.
Over 200 personnel of the firm, most of them Chinese nationals, were arrested in the operation conducted by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), Bureau of Immigration (BI), and Pasay City Police.
According to PAOCC undersecretary Gilbert Cruz, some of those arrested were the “big bosses” of the POGO based on their appearances.
“Ang tingin ko may mga nakuha tayong big boss dito. Yung iba dinatnan natin sa opisina ng mga boss, like ito opisina ng big boss. Titingnan natin ang background niya kasi sa itsura niya palang talagang boss na boss ang dating niya,” said Cruz.
Cruz added that the authorities will also examine the confiscated computers, cellphones, SIM cards, and other items to build a case against those arrested.
Among the charges the arrested individuals will face are for violation of the Anti-Cyber Crime Act and immigration laws for working without permits.
Meanwhile, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the raid of a POGO hub near the Senate proved that the POGO problem is still far from over.
“The raid on another POGO company involved in love scams, underscores that our battle against the deep-rooted social ills caused by POGOs is far from over,” Gatchalian said.
“Nilabag na nga ang utos ng Pangulo na itigil na ang operasyon ng POGO, nagawa pa nilang patakbuhin ito sa mismong likod ng gusali ng Senado — ang institusyong nag-iimbestiga sa mga problemang dulot ng POGO,” he added.
During his last State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. announced a total ban on POGOs by the end of the year./PN
