ATI-detained POGO personnel undergo interrogation! Only 1 suspect submits rebuttal testimony.

18 Chinese citizens and 2 Filipinos were arrested in a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) center for allegedly participating in "romance scams" and other fraudulent activities, and are currently undergoing preliminary investigation by the Department of Justice.

According to information provided by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), among all the arrested individuals, only one person submitted a counter-statement, while the rest of the suspects have yet to provide formal defenses.

Gilbert Cruz, the Executive Director of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), revealed that during the investigation, a Vietnamese individual testified that he was forced to act as a "model" to lure victims into investing in cryptocurrencies.

The case involves a POGO facility located in the ATI Building in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City, adjacent to the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX). Last month, law enforcement officers raided the site, arresting several suspects and charging them with qualified human trafficking.

The Department of Justice is currently expediting the trial of this case and continues to track more individuals involved to curb the spread of POGO-related criminal activities.