According to the Philippine Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC), some foreigners arrested over the weekend at a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) center in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, are expected to face trial this week.
PAOCC spokesperson Dr. Winston Casio stated that the arrested foreigners are currently detained at the raided scam hub. Casio said, "Today, they will undergo two legal proceedings. The first is a criminal online hearing, which involves the interrogation of those charged with criminal offenses. We have already identified the list of individuals who will be criminally charged."
He added that these foreigners were originally scheduled to undergo an immigration hearing on Monday afternoon. Casio mentioned, "If the weather improves, we will transport them using military aircraft... If the weather is clear, we are likely to depart from Manila tomorrow." However, due to adverse weather conditions, this schedule may be delayed.
Casio previously mentioned that about 150 foreigners were arrested in a gated compound in Lapu-Lapu City, but by Monday, the number of detainees had increased to 169. Among them, 163 were formally arrested, and 6 foreigners were considered rescued.
The detainees include 91 Chinese mainland citizens, 69 Indonesians, 6 Burmese, 2 Taiwanese, and 1 Malaysian. Casio noted, "We have rescued six Indonesians, who were part of the 13 requested by the Indonesian Embassy. The rest were arrested for alleged fraud activities."
Additionally, four Filipinos were arrested during the operation, allegedly as "residual" personnel from previous raids at POGO centers in Bamban, Tarlac, and Pampanga's Porac. Casio stated that most of the 169 foreigners also came from POGO centers in Bamban and Porac.
Casio revealed that they have applied for a search warrant to inspect the electronic devices seized during the operation and are drafting an order for Civil Administrator Lucas Bersamin to sign, which will allow them to confiscate a 2-hectare compound and all vehicles. Regarding the ownership of the property, Casio mentioned that it might belong to a family of a Chinese citizen with a special retirement residence visa. The facility has been operational since 2019, and although it still appears on booking sites, according to Philippine staff, it seems reserved for foreign nationals working at scam farms.
Casio also pointed out that authorities are still investigating about 300 illegal POGO centers and urged local government units to intensify their efforts against POGOs. He emphasized, "I hope they remain vigilant, pay more attention, and not turn a blind eye to illegal activities in their communities. Saying they didn't know what was happening is not a sufficient reason or defense... We cannot use 'ignorance' as an excuse, saying we didn't know about these activities. If national agencies have discovered them, why wouldn't the locals know?"
