Surveillance and monitoring operations have been intensified in Central Visayas for Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGO) after the Philippines’ National Police (PNP) raided a POGO hub in Lapu-Lapu City, rescuing 162 foreign nationals.
According to Philippines news agencies, all police chiefs in Cebu are to strengthen their watch for POGOs and in their respective areas of jurisdiction after the recent raid in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City.
The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) stated that the above-mentioned raid was conducted at the request of the Indonesian Embassy, to rescue eight Indonesian nationals being held illegally at the alleged POGO hub.
Of the 162 foreigners rescued, there were 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, 2 Taiwanese, 6 Burmese and one Malaysian. Several Filipino women were also rescued, including a minor who was turned over to the social welfare office.
The raid was a joint operation between PAOCC, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Since the announcement of the nationwide POGO ban, all POGOs, including PAGCOR’s legal tax-paying IGLs, were ordered to shut down.
Work permits for POGO employees were also set to expire by the end of 2024.
