8 Chinese nationals arrested in 'POGO hub' in Davao City -- NBI
Eight Chinese nationals, six men and two women, have been arrested by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) at an illegally operating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) in Davao City.
The NBI said they were arrested last August 12 by operatives of the Southeastern Mindanao Regional Office (NBI-SEMRO XI) during a raid of a house where the POGO hub was found.
POGO operations in the country have been banned by President Marcos and the government has started deportations of aliens who used to work for them.
“Seized from the site were personal computers and multiple mobile phones, all utilized to facilitate the prohibited gaming operations,” the NBI said.
While the NBI did not name those arrested, it said that charges of violations of Presidential Decree No. 1602, the Anti-Illegal Gambling Act; Republic Act (RA) No. 9160, the Anti-Money Laundering Act; and RA 10364, the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act, will be filed against them.
The NBI said the operation was conducted after it received a complaint of suspicious activities inside a residential property on Gardenia Street, Montclair Highlands Subdivision, Buhangin, Davao City.
After surveillance and verification, it said it was confirmed that there were POGO operations in the mentioned property.
The NBI urged the public “to report suspicious activities in their communities to help stop illegal offshore gaming operations and the crimes that often accompany them, including money laundering, cybercrime, and human trafficking.”