29 foreigners arrested in anti-POGO operation in Cavite


Operatives of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 15, a total of 29 foreigners for allegedly running an online gaming operation inside a resort in Silang, Cavite. 

CIDG director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said the operation stemmed from the information relayed by the resort owner about foreigners, mostly Chinese, bringing in computer sets and other gambling paraphernalia inside the resort that they rented in Barangay Lalaan 2.

The resort was rented through a local contact but the owner was surprised by the presence of around 50 to 60 foreigners entering the resort daily.

CIDG operatives then conducted validation surveillance and later confirmed that the foreigners were operating Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO)-type online gaming. 

Backed by agents from the Presidential Anti Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) and the Bureau of Immigration, CIDG operatives swooped down on the area at around 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday and resulted in the arrest of 29 foreigners.

Two of those arrested are from Myanmar while the rest are all Chinese.

Authorities have been conducting aggressive operations against POGO based on the order of President Marcos to stop all its operations in the country. 

“The physical custody of the foreign nationals apprehended in the said facility will be placed under the PAOCC however legal custody remains with the BI while deportation proceedings are still ongoing,” said Torre.