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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Cebu POGO hub dismantled, 9 foreigners nabbed for human trafficking

Cebu POGO hub dismantled, 9 foreigners nabbed for human trafficking

Published Jul 4, 2025 04:00 pm
(Photo: PNP-CIDG)
(Photo: PNP-CIDG)
Nine Chinese were arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their alleged involvement in human trafficking and illegal operation of a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Mandaue City, Cebu.
In a statement Friday, July 4, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) identified the suspects as alias “Cai”, “Lei”, “Wei”, “Tawei”, “Shiao”, “Ye”, “Ying”, “Lu”, and “Yin”.
The CIDG Mandaue City Field Unit raided and dismantled the alleged POGO and scam hub inside a subdivision in Brgy. Alang-Alang on June 2 where they found the suspects.
CIDG acting director Police Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz said they received a distress call from a Filipina victim of the scam hub, which triggered the rescue operation.
The CIDG managed to save the Filipina victim and several other Filipino workers, and collared the foreign suspects. Police said the Chinese failed to present passports and valid documents supporting their stay or work in the Philippines.
According to the Filipina survivor, they were detained against their will and forced to work in various scam operations. They were also not allowed by the Chinese suspects to leave the house where they were working.
The police confiscated different information technology (IT) and electronic devices believed to be used in the scam operations such as 21 desktop computers, 40 cellphones, a tablet, and other electronic accessories.
The retrieved pieces of evidence were turned over to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit in Central Visayas (RACU7) of the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) for forensic examination.
Meanwhile, the suspects were charged for violation of Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 and immigration laws.
The PNP has continued to pounce on suspected POGO hubs even after President Marcos Jr. already banned their operations. The industry is being linked to crimes operated by international syndicates.
In November 2024, Marcos issued Executive Order No. 74 which imposed an immediate ban on offshore and internet gaming in the country.

Related Tags

POGO Cebu PNP CIDG
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