CEBU CITY – Authorities in Lapu-Lapu City are monitoring four areas where Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs are possibly operating.
LAPU-LAPU City Hall of Justice
Police Col. Dyan Agustin, officer-in-charge of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said they have been inspecting commercial establishments as part of the efforts to uncover illegal POGO hubs in the city.
Mayor Junard Chan has created a task force to ensure that no illegal POGO hubs are operating in the city.
Agustin said the task force is composed of personnel coming from various offices of the city government.
The task force has inspected the business permits of some establishments in Barangay Basak where suspected POGO hubs are operating.
“Fortunately, we found no POGO hub operating in the area,” said Agustin.
Two other areas in the city with suspected POGO hubs are being monitored.
The task force was created after a POGO hub was discovered in a hotel in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu.
The discovery of the POGO hub has led to the relief of at least four police officers in the city.
During the raid, several foreigners were rescued.
Authorities have filed human trafficking charges against 18 suspects composed of 17 Chinese nationals and a Filipino.
The National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas is planning to file additional money laundering charges against the suspects.