PAOCC rescues 1,000 workers from scam hub in Bataan


A sprawling facility allegedly operating as a scam hub inside a freeport zone in Sitio Cabog-cabog, Balanga City, Bataan was raided by authorities on Thursday, Oct. 31.

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Nearly 1,000 Filipino workers were rescued by the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission in the operation conducted on the strength of a search warrant dated Oct. 29 issued by a Malolos City, Bulacan court.

The PAOCC said the facility allegedly conducted love scams, cyberscams, and engaged in online gambling operations.

PAOCC spokesman Winston Casio said the facility operated under a permit from the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB). 

However, it has no corresponding permit to operate online gambling operations from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.  

The facility had a functioning dormitory as well as six buildings housing separate sub-operations.

The operation was backed by the Philippine National Police (PNP)-Special Action Force (SAF), Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), and Police Regional Office-3.