A total of 27 Chinese nationals were arrested in separate operations for allegedly operating scam hubs inside the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga, the Police Regional Office-Central Luxon (PRO-3) said on Tuesday.
In a statement, PRO-3 chief Police Brig. Gen. Ponce Rogelio Peñones said the first raid was conducted around 2 a.m. by operatives from the Central Luzon police, Bureau of Immigration, and the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at the Asian Greenville Resort in Barangay Jose Abad Santos in Mabalacat City.
Arrested during the operation were 24 Chinese, including two women, who were “caught in the act of operating a cryptocurrency investment scam hub.”
It said eight Filipinos women were also found in the area.
An hour later, authorities raided a condominium unit in Clark Hills Village D, Sacobia Street, also in Mabalacat City, leading to the arrest of three more Chinese nationals.
Peñones said the three were “engaged in phishing and other scam-related activities.”
Seized during the operations were numerous computer workstations and electronic devices, which are now undergoing forensic examination.
Peñones commended the personnel “for their swift and coordinated action” leading to the successful operations.
“These operations are a testament to our intensified campaign against transnational cybercrimes and illegal POGO (Philippine offshore gaming operators) activities. We are sending a clear message -- Central Luzon is not a haven for scammers and exploiters,” he said.
Peñones said the PNP will work relentlessly, in collaboration with other agencies, “to protect our communities and extend appropriate support to those exploited by these syndicates.” (with a report from PNA)