The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has intensified its crackdown on a scam farm operated by a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) located in Bamban, Tarlac Province.
Two more victims have also come forward to testify in the ongoing human trafficking case involving several Chinese nationals.
Group Director Brigadier General Nicolas Torre III revealed that based on the statements of the latest complainants, eight more individuals have been added to the list of defendants in the human trafficking complaint. Torre confirmed in a surprise interview, "We have categorized it as a crime of serious illegal detention, as we have now documented victims who were forcibly detained and exploited." He added that the case has been formally submitted to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Torre disclosed that both the complainants and the newly named defendants are Chinese nationals. "They were detained, forced to work. They want to go home, to leave, but are prohibited," he explained, further noting that the involved POGO personnel hold positions that enable them to exert control over the victims.
This latest development follows the criminal charges filed in September at the Pasig Regional Trial Court (RTC) against former Bamban Mayor Alice Guo and 13 others for non-bailable human trafficking offenses. Guo, along with Dennis Cunanan and 12 executives from three associated companies, faces charges of operating within an illegal POGO network.
In another crackdown, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) raided a scam center in Parañaque City on Tuesday night, arresting 17 individuals. At a press conference, NBI Director Jaime Santiago revealed that a criminal group was using four apartment units at Casiana Residences for large-scale scam operations involving foreigners.
On-site investigations found that the suspects contacted victims through platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, posing as representatives of legitimate businesses or acquaintances, luring victims into fake cryptocurrency "mining" and "farming" investments, and operating fraudulent gambling websites to ensure continuous losses for users.
Under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (RA 10175), the suspects face multiple charges, including illegal access, device misuse, computer-related forgery, and computer-related fraud. Under the Anti-Financial Account Fraud Act (RA 12010), the suspects also face charges of social engineering schemes and economic sabotage.
A Chinese citizen, Hou Jusen, also faces charges of corrupting public officials, forging public documents, and violating the Anti-Anonymity Law. He allegedly attempted to bribe the suspects with 1.5 million Philippine pesos (US$25,700) for their release. An accompanying Filipino couple may serve as witnesses in the investigation, according to the National Bureau of Investigation report.
