The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Central Visayas has escalated its monitoring and enforcement actions against Philippine offshore gaming operators (POGOs), spurred by a major operation last Saturday at a resort in Lapu-Lapu City, which resulted in the rescue of 162 foreigners.
Intensified regional surveillance:
Police Regional Office-7 Director, Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, has issued directives to all police chiefs in Cebu province to enhance their vigilance regarding potential POGOs within their jurisdictions. This directive follows closely on the heels of the significant raid conducted in Barangay Agus, Lapu-Lapu City, as detailed by Lt. Col. Gerard Ace Pelare, the regional police spokesperson.
In tandem with heightened surveillance, Pelare has called upon the local community to assist law enforcement by reporting any establishments suspected of fraudulent activities. This community engagement is seen as a vital component in the broader strategy to curb illegal gaming operations that often prey on vulnerable individuals.
The raid that triggered this renewed focus was not an isolated effort but part of a collaborative operation involving multiple agencies. The Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), along with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Central Visayas, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Central Visayas, and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), spearheaded the action following a request from the Indonesian Embassy concerned about the welfare of eight nationals.
According to Inside Asian Gaming, these agencies converged on the Tourist Garden Hotel in Barangay Agus, which, despite outward appearances as a leisure resort complete with a restaurant, bar, mini-store, and swimming pool, was operating as a hub for illegal activities. During the operation, operatives rescued 162 foreign nationals involved in what was described as a scam farm, including 83 Chinese, 70 Indonesians, 2 Taiwanese, 6 Burmese, and a Malaysian.
Legal and humanitarian responses:
As the Philippine News Agency reports, Lawyer Renan Oliva, the NBI regional director for Region 7, highlighted the legal and humanitarian aspects of the operation. Oliva explained that initial suspicions of immigration law violations quickly expanded to include involvement in scams, prompting thorough investigations into the identities and activities of all individuals rescued during the raid. On top of that, some Filipino women, including a minor, were also rescued and have since been placed under the care of the social welfare office.
Oliva added: “The first violation was of immigration laws, but we discovered that they seemed to be involved in scams. So, we are processing each identity of the foreigners, including those who were rescued during the raid.”
Oliva also noted a concerning trend , regarding individuals associated with POGO operations previously raided in Luzon appear to be relocating to Cebu to continue their illicit activities, suggesting a migratory pattern among these illegal operators seeking to evade law enforcement.
The focus on POGOs has intensified significantly in recent months, particularly after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced a complete ban on the industry, effective January 1, 2025. Under this new mandate, no new Internet Gaming Licenses (IGLs), previously known as POGOs, may be issued, and all existing licenses must be phased out by the year’s end. This decisive governmental stance reflects a commitment to eradicating the associated criminal activities and protecting the region’s economic and social health.
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